and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse deliberately highlights Bathsheba not by name, but as "the wife of Uriah." This framing subtly draws attention to David's sin and God's remarkable grace in continuing the lineage through their son Solomon, a powerful testament to redemption even within a royal genealogy.
and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse continues the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back through King David. It highlights the specific mention of Solomon being born to David by Bathsheba, who was formerly Uriah's wife, a detail that points to a complex history of God's promises even amidst human sin and repentance. The inclusion of this union emphasizes the inclusive nature of God's plan, bringing Jesus into the world through a line marked by both royalty and scandal.
Why does Matthew call David 'the king' twice in this single verse? It's more than just a title; it points to a pivotal moment in Israel's history and a divine promise.
Matthew's repetition of 'David the king' isn't just for emphasis. It highlights David as the first true king of Israel, marking the establishment of a permanent royal line.
A Royal Line Established
This title anchors Jesus' lineage firmly in the royal lineage promised to David.
The mention of Solomon being born to 'her that had been the wife of Uriah' is a stark reminder of David's sin. Yet, God's plan unfolds even through this difficult history.
This phrase, 'her that had been the wife of Uriah' (Bathsheba), is a delicate way of including a significant and sinful event in David's life.
Unfolding Providence
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Understand the original words
David · Hebrew Proper Noun
A king of Israel chosen by God to establish a royal lineage, representing the ideal monarchical figure from whom the Messiah would descend. He is central to the covenantal promises made regarding the eternal kingdom.
basileus · Greek Noun
A supreme ruler of a nation or kingdom, often holding ultimate authority; in the biblical context, it refers to one who rules under the ultimate sovereignty of God, or the title given to the promised Messiah.
gennaō · Greek Verb
The act or state of bringing forth offspring; in a genealogy, it marks the transmission of biological life, but also serves to confirm legal inheritance and the fulfillment of ancestral promises.
Matthew's inclusion of Bathsheba, 'the wife of Uriah,' highlights God's sovereign grace, choosing to weave even David's grievous sin and its consequences into the lineage of the Messiah, demonstrating that salvation comes through His divine plan, not human merit.
c. 1010 BC
David Anointed King of Israel
After a period of conflict and consolidation, David becomes the unified king over all twelve tribes of Israel, establishing Jerusalem as the capital. This marks the beginning of Israel's golden age.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
David's Sin with Bathsheba
King David commits adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrates the death of her husband, Uriah the Hittite. This event brings severe judgment upon David and his household but is followed by his repentance.
c. 990 BC
Solomon Becomes King
David's son, Solomon, succeeds him as king. His reign is marked by wisdom, great building projects including the First Temple, and extensive trade, though later years see spiritual decline.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, scattering its people and ending its existence as a distinct entity. This event serves as a stark warning to the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling much of the population. This marks a devastating end to the Davidic monarchy and national sovereignty.
This passage describes the sinful act between David and Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, which is alluded to in Matthew 1:6, highlighting the complex and morally challenging circumstances within David's lineage.
2 Samuel 12:24-25This passage recounts the birth of Solomon to David and Bathsheba after Uriah's death, directly connecting to the event mentioned in Matthew 1:6 and emphasizing God's grace even amidst sin.
Ruth 4:18-22This passage provides the genealogy from Perez to David, showing David's lineage through Boaz and Ruth, and serves as a foundational part of the royal line that Matthew 1:6 continues.
1 Chronicles 3:5This verse also lists Solomon as one of David's sons born in Jerusalem, mirroring Matthew 1:6 and offering another Old Testament perspective on this significant lineage connection.
Luke 3:31This verse in Luke's genealogy also traces Jesus' lineage back to David, but through Nathan instead of Solomon, offering a complementary but distinct perspective on David's descendants in relation to Jesus.
bensonMatthew 1:6: "And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;"
Matthew 1:6 . And Jesse begat David the king — David has the title of king given him in this genealogy, because he was the first king of his family, and because he had the kingdom entailed upon his children; in which respect he had greatly the advantage of Saul, from whose family the kingdom was taken away almost as soon as it was conferred. It is true, ten of the twelve tribe…
meyerMatthew 1:6: "And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;"
Matthew 1:6 . Τὸν Δαυεὶδ τὸν βασιλέα ] Although an apposition with the article follows the proper name, yet Δαυείδ also takes the article, not for the sake of uniformity with the preceding name (de Wette), but in order to designate David demonstratively, as already marked out in Matthew 1:1 . In Matthew 1:16 , also, the article before Ἰωσήφ , which is accompanied by an apposit…
This verse deliberately highlights Bathsheba not by name, but as "the wife of Uriah." This framing subtly draws attention to David's sin and God's remarkable grace in continuing the lineage through their son Solomon, a powerful testament to redemption even within a royal genealogy.
This verse continues the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back through King David. It highlights the specific mention of Solomon being born to David by Bathsheba, who was formerly Uriah's wife, a detail that points to a complex history of God's promises even amidst human sin and repentance. The inclusion of this union emphasizes the inclusive nature of God's plan, bringing Jesus into the world through a line marked by both royalty and scandal.
This verse continues the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back through King David. It highlights the specific mention of Solomon being born to David by Bathsheba, who was formerly Uriah's wife, a detail that points to a complex history of God's promises even amidst human sin and repentance. The inclusion of this union emphasizes the inclusive nature of God's plan, bringing Jesus into the world through a line marked by both royalty and scandal.
"and Jesse the father of David the king.
And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah," — This verse deliberately highlights Bathsheba not by name, but as "the wife of Uriah." This framing subtly draws attention to David's sin and God's remarkable grace in continuing the lineage through t…
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Last reviewed October 2026