Naamah (wife of Solomon)

Naamah, the Ammonitess, is identified in the Hebrew Bible (1 Kings 14:21, 31; 2 Chronicles 12:13) as one of the wives of King Solomon and the mother of Rehoboam, who succeeded Solomon as king of Judah.

Biblical text provides limited information about Naamah beyond her role as Rehoboam's mother and Solomon's wife. Her origin from Ammon is the primary identifying characteristic given. This is significant as Ammonites were often portrayed as adversaries of Israel in the Hebrew Bible.

The name Naamah (נַעֲמָה) means "pleasant" or "agreeable" in Hebrew.

Interpretations and significance of Naamah's inclusion in the genealogy of the kings of Judah vary. Some scholars view her presence as evidence of Solomon's foreign wives influencing religious practices in Judah, possibly leading to the eventual division of the kingdom. Others highlight the inclusion of women of foreign origin in the Davidic line as reflective of God's expansive covenant and acceptance of those outside of Israel.

Beyond the biblical text, Naamah also appears in later Jewish traditions and folklore, where her character and actions are often elaborated upon and sometimes embellished. These interpretations are not considered part of the canonical biblical narrative.