Breakdown of Matthew 1:6-7

"and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph," — The text specifically calls David "the king" twice, highlighting that his reign marked the beginning of a royal lineage for the Messiah, a significant royal inheritance that was promised to last fore…

Matthew 1:6-7 Meaning Explained

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Matthew 1:6-7

and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph,

English Standard Version (ESV)

The text specifically calls David "the king" twice, highlighting that his reign marked the beginning of a royal lineage for the Messiah, a significant royal inheritance that was promised to last forever. It also subtly points to Bathsheba, not by name but as "her that had been the wife of Uriah," acknowledging her role in this lineage despite the scandalous circumstances of her union with David.

What Matthew 1:6-7 means

This passage continues the genealogy, tracing Jesus' lineage back through King David. It highlights David's royal significance and notes that Solomon, Jesus' ancestor, was born to Bathsheba after she was David's wife, a detail that acknowledges a complex and sinful part of David's life, yet still part of God's redemptive plan.

The Kingly Title Matters

Why does Matthew emphasize 'David the king' twice in this single verse? It's more than just a label; it points to a profound promise.

Matthew highlights 'David the king' to underscore the messianic lineage. David was the first king from Judah, and God promised him an everlasting dynasty.

The Promise: God promised David that his kingdom would be established forever, a promise directly fulfilled in Jesus, the Messiah (2 Samuel 7:12-16).
A Typological King: David, though flawed, served as a type or foreshadowing of Christ, the ultimate King who would establish an eternal kingdom.
Christ's Rightful Claim: By tracing Jesus' lineage through David the King, Matthew establishes Jesus' royal claim and rightful inheritance to the throne of Israel.

Grace in the Midst of Shame

This genealogy includes a controversial union. How does Matthew weave scandal into the story of salvation?

Matthew includes Solomon, born to David and Bathsheba (Uriah's former wife), to showcase God's incredible grace and redemptive plan.

A Hidden Past: Bathsheba is not named, but identified by her previous marriage to Uriah. This alludes to David's sin of adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11).
Divine Forgiveness: Despite the sin, God's promise to David concerning his lineage and kingdom was not broken. Solomon, born of this union after David's repentance, continued the royal line.
Inclusion of the Marginalized: By including women like Bathsheba, who had complex or even scandalous pasts, Matthew shows that God's redemptive plan extends to all, even those considered outsiders or sinners.

Understand the original words

Original language

Davidדָּוִד

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.

kingβασιλεύς

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.

father ofγεννάω

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.

Historical context

Written: Likely between 60-70 AD.
Author: Traditionally Matthew the Apostle, though some scholars suggest a later date and authorship.
Location: Written from Galilee, likely for a Jewish audience within the Roman province of Judea.
Genre: Gospel (narrative with genealogical elements); features a structured, symmetrical genealogy noting key figures and lineage.

Historical background

Matthew highlights David as 'the king' and includes Solomon's mother, Bathsheba, who was Uriah's wife. This inclusion emphasizes God's grace, as Solomon was born into the royal line despite the sin surrounding his conception, pointing towards a Messiah who comes through a lineage marked by both faithfulness and human frailty.

c. 1010 BC— this verse
David Anointed King of Israel
Jesse's youngest son, David, is chosen and anointed king, beginning a pivotal monarchy in Israel's history and the lineage from which the Messiah would come.
c. 1000 BC
David Captures Jerusalem
David establishes Jerusalem as his capital, a significant political and religious move that solidifies his kingdom and the Davidic dynasty.
c. 990 BC
David and Bathsheba
King David commits adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrates the death of her husband, Uriah, a profound moral lapse that has lasting consequences for his family and kingdom.
c. 990 BC
Solomon Born
Solomon, son of David and Bathsheba (formerly Uriah's wife), is born, becoming a key figure in the royal lineage despite the controversial circumstances of his conception.

Key themes

01Royal lineage established
02Messianic king promised
03God's mercy in sin
04David's kingdom continued

Cross-references

2 Samuel 11:1-27

This passage details the illicit affair between David and Bathsheba, Uriah's wife, which directly leads to the circumstances mentioned in Matthew 1:6, highlighting a moment of sin and repentance in David's life.

2 Samuel 7:11-16

This is God's covenant with David, promising that his 'house and his kingdom shall be made sure for ever' and that his 'throne shall be established for ever.' This promise is foundational to David's designation as 'king' in this genealogy and the expectation of the Messiah.

1 Chronicles 3:5

This verse explicitly states that Solomon was born to David 'of Bathsheba, the daughter of Ammiel' (Uriah's wife), confirming the identity of the mother and the lineage mentioned in Matthew.

Luke 1:32-33

This passage echoes the promise made to David in 2 Samuel 7, stating that Jesus will be called the Son of the Most High and 'his kingdom there will be no end.' It connects Jesus directly to David's royal lineage and eternal kingdom.

Scholarly commentary

Matthew 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…
benson

Matthew 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…
meyer

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What Matthew 1:6-7 means

Original language

Davidדָּוִד

David · Hebrew Proper Noun

kingβασιλεύς

basileus · Greek Noun

father ofγεννάω

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.

Historical context

Written: Likely between 60-70 AD.
Author: Traditionally Matthew the Apostle, though some scholars suggest a later date and authorship.
Location: Written from Galilee, likely for a Jewish audience within the Roman province of Judea.
Genre: Gospel (narrative with genealogical elements); features a structured, symmetrical genealogy noting key figures and lineage.

Historical background

c. 1010 BC— this verse

David Anointed King of Israel

Jesse's youngest son, David, is chosen and anointed king, beginning a pivotal monarchy in Israel's history and the lineage from which the Messiah would come.

c. 1000 BC

David Captures Jerusalem

David establishes Jerusalem as his capital, a significant political and religious move that solidifies his kingdom and the Davidic dynasty.

c. 990 BC

David and Bathsheba

King David commits adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrates the death of her husband, Uriah, a profound moral lapse that has lasting consequences for his family and kingdom.