01_Biblica_1_E_Kalimi_Layout 1 30/01/13 13:15 Pagina 499 499 KING SOLOMON Nehemiah refer to the name Yedidyah, although they do not mention it explicitly. In the Praise of the Ancestors, Ben Sira derives the name She- lomoh from the noun shalvah (“peace”), and the name Yedidyah as it is explained in 2 Sam 12,25. “Qoheleth son of David” is not iden- tical with Solomon. This identification is hinted at in the first chap- ters of the book and suggested explicitly later on in the post-biblical Jewish tradition, in order to include the book of Qoheleth within the Hebrew canon. One can admit two clear trends in the Jewish literature of Second Temple time: the one (Chronicles and Qoheleth, which later were followed by the rabbis) only praised the king. The Chronicler used only the name “Solomon”, while the author of the opening chapters of the wisdom book refers to him as “Qoheleth”. However, they both (and Josephus) ignore the theophoric name “Yedidyah”. The other trend (Nehemiah and Ben Sira) praises the king but in the same breath also rebukes him. Though given the name “Yedidyah” (“beloved of the Lord”), the king still sinned. It seems that both trends had a didactical purpose. The former presents a role model of a completely righteous king. In contrast, the latter demonstrates that even the “beloved of the Lord” failed, despite his great wisdom. Therefore, one should be always careful with divine commandments. The University of Chicago Isaac KALIMI 5828 South University Ave. Chicago, IL 60637, USA SUMMARY In Chronicles Solomon is represented as one who was born under normal circumstances. He appears in the center of David’s nineteen descendants, and as the youngest of Bathsheba’s four sons, but still gained the kingship. The name “Solomon” was given to the child by God prior to his birth and He elected him as king. The root of the name was interpreted twice, but there is no mention of “Yedidyah”. The allusions to or ignorance of the name “Yedidyah” in Psalms, Nehemiah, Chronicles, and Josephus, as well as the question if “Qoheleth” is Solomon’s third name, are also discussed. © Gregorian Biblical Press 2012 - Tutti i diritti riservati