Topical Encyclopedia Naamah is a biblical figure recognized as one of the wives of King Solomon and the mother of his successor, King Rehoboam. Her account is primarily found in the Old Testament, where she is mentioned in the context of the royal lineage of the Kingdom of Judah.Biblical References and Lineage Naamah is specifically mentioned in 1 Kings 14:21 and 2 Chronicles 12:13. The Berean Standard Bible states in 1 Kings 14:21: "Meanwhile, Rehoboam son of Solomon reigned in Judah. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the LORD had chosen from all the tribes of Israel in which to put His Name. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite." Naamah's designation as "the Ammonite" indicates her foreign origin, as she hailed from the people of Ammon, a nation often at odds with Israel. This detail is significant, as it highlights the political alliances and marriages that Solomon engaged in during his reign, which were sometimes contrary to the Mosaic Law's warnings against intermarriage with foreign nations (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). Role and Influence Naamah's role as the mother of Rehoboam places her in a critical position within the Davidic dynasty. Her son, Rehoboam, ascended to the throne after Solomon's death, marking the continuation of the Davidic line in Judah. The political and religious climate during Rehoboam's reign was tumultuous, as it was marked by the division of the united monarchy into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. While the Bible does not provide extensive details about Naamah's personal life or her influence on Rehoboam, her identity as an Ammonite may have had implications for the religious practices in the royal court. Solomon's marriages to foreign women, including Naamah, are noted in 1 Kings 11:1-4, where it is mentioned that his wives turned his heart after other gods, leading to idolatry in Israel. Cultural and Theological Considerations Naamah's presence in the biblical narrative serves as a reminder of the complexities of Solomon's reign, where political alliances through marriage often led to religious compromises. Her Ammonite heritage underscores the tensions between maintaining the purity of Israel's worship of Yahweh and the influences of surrounding nations. Theologically, Naamah's account is intertwined with the themes of covenant faithfulness and the consequences of disobedience. Her son Rehoboam's reign, which began with the division of the kingdom, can be seen as a fulfillment of the prophetic warnings given to Solomon regarding the consequences of his idolatry and unfaithfulness (1 Kings 11:11-13). In summary, Naamah, as a wife of Solomon and the mother of Rehoboam, holds a significant yet understated role in the biblical narrative. Her account reflects the broader themes of political alliances, religious fidelity, and the unfolding of God's purposes through the Davidic line, despite human failings. Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 14:21,31And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess. Nave's Topical Index 2 Chronicles 12:13 Library An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ... Resources Who were the Ammonites? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Tubal-Cain in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What are some of the most common questions about Noah's Ark? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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