דברי הימים א, פרק ג׳, פסוק ה׳

David's royal lineage in Jerusalem centers on the children of his primary wife, though historical records sometimes record their names with slight variations. The mother of these four sons is called Bath-shua the daughter of Ammiel. The primary approach among commentators is that this is the well-known Bathsheba the daughter of Eliam. The names Bath-shua and Bathsheba are closely related and used interchangeably, while the name Ammiel is simply a reversal of the letters that make up Eliam. Likewise, the first son listed, Shimea, is the same person known as Shammua in the Book of Samuel [רלב״ג].

A notable detail in the family record is Solomon's placement at the very end of this group of brothers. The primary approach among commentators is that this roster is not organized by birth order. Solomon was actually the oldest of these four, born immediately following the death of David and Bathsheba's first child [מצודת דוד ורד״ק]. Recognizing that Solomon was the fifth child born to the couple altogether helps establish a broader historical timeline, indicating that the initial events involving David and Bathsheba took place roughly thirty years prior to David's death [רלב״ג].

The choice to list the eldest son last reflects a specific literary style. The author intentionally lists the minor figures first to move past them, clearing the way to focus continuously and exclusively on the main lineage of Solomon and his descendants [מלבי״ם]. Looking at the broader family tree, this record is also noticeably more comprehensive than earlier accounts. While the Book of Samuel omitted certain sons who died during their father's lifetime, this account chooses to include everyone. The goal is to present a full, uninterrupted list of every son born to David in Jerusalem, without any exceptions [רד״ק].