and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This seemingly simple list of names is actually hiding a significant spiritual truth: even though Rehoboam, Solomon's son, ushered in a time of idolatry and division, he still played a crucial role in God's unfolding plan. This highlights how God can use imperfect people and even those who stray from His path to bring about His ultimate purposes, including the lineage of Jesus.
and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse continues the lineage of Jesus, tracing his ancestry back through the kings of Israel, specifically from Solomon, David's son, to Rehoboam and then to Abijah. This section of Matthew's genealogy highlights the royal line promised to David, even as it includes kings whose reigns led to the nation's division and eventual exile, a stark contrast to the glorious kingdom God intended.
You might see a long list of names and think, 'What's the point?' But this genealogy isn't just a historical record; it's a testament to God's faithfulness, even when the people in the line weren't.
When you read through genealogies like this one in Matthew's Gospel, it's easy to focus on the names themselves. But remember, these were real people – with their own strengths and failures.
God's Sovereignty at Work
Continuity Through Covenant
This unbroken chain, despite the imperfections of individuals, highlights that God's promises are steadfast. He is not swayed by human weakness but orchestrates events to bring about the promised Messiah.
Matthew's genealogy seems straightforward, but did you know he deliberately leaves out some names? It's not an oversight; it's a key part of his message.
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Matthew presents a genealogy that connects Jesus to David and Abraham, fulfilling crucial Old Testament promises. However, to fit his structure and emphasize his point, he makes strategic omissions.
Fitting the Pattern
Theological Significance
These omissions aren't errors; they are intentional choices that shape the narrative. They steer the reader away from focusing on the failures of specific rulers and keep the spotlight on God's overarching plan. Calvin suggests Matthew might have omitted names for religious reasons, ensuring the 'theocratic chain' remained unbroken in a way that pointed to Christ.
c. 975 BC
Kingdom Divides
After Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam's harsh policies led to the division of the united kingdom into Israel (North) and Judah (South). Rehoboam ruled Judah from Jerusalem.
c. 950 BC
Rehoboam's Reign
Rehoboam's reign in Judah was marked by religious syncretism and conflict with the northern kingdom of Israel. He was succeeded by his son Abijah (Abia).
c. 940 BC
Abijah's Reign
Abijah ruled for a short time, continuing the conflict with Israel. He was succeeded by his son Asa, who is noted for his religious reforms.
c. 910 BC— this verse
Asa's Reforms
Asa initiated significant religious reforms in Judah, removing idols and promoting the worship of Yahweh. His reign provided a period of relative peace and stability.
This passage directly corresponds to the Old Testament record of Solomon begetting Rehoboam, confirming the lineage presented in Matthew's genealogy.
2 Chronicles 12:16This verse identifies Rehoboam's successor as Abijah (also called Abijah in other texts), linking directly to the next generation mentioned in Matthew's genealogy.
1 Kings 15:8This verse states that Asa succeeded his father Abijah, providing the subsequent link in the royal line that Matthew is carefully tracing.
Matthew 1:6This verse immediately precedes Matthew 1:7, showing David begetting Solomon, thus placing the specific lineage in Matthew 1:7 within the larger context of David's royal line leading to Jesus.
Matthew 1:17This verse summarizes the genealogy into three sets of fourteen generations, highlighting the deliberate structure of Matthew's account and the significance of each segment, including the one in verse 7.
bensonMatthew 1:7: "And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;"
Matthew 1:7 . And Solomon begat Roboam — From whose government ten of the tribes revolting, chose Jeroboam for their king, who, to prevent them from returning to their subjection to the house of David, introduced the worship of the golden calves, and led the whole nation into the dreadful crime of gross idolatry; a crime from which they were never totally reclaimed, and which was the chief source of their misery…
bengelMatthew 1:7: "And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;"
Matthew 1:7 . ἐγέννησε , begat ) Bad men, even though they are useless to themselves in their lifetime, do not exist in vain; since by their means the elect even are brought into the world.
This seemingly simple list of names is actually hiding a significant spiritual truth: even though Rehoboam, Solomon's son, ushered in a time of idolatry and division, he still played a crucial role in God's unfolding plan. This highlights how God can use imperfect people and even those who stray from His path to bring about His ultimate purposes, including the lineage of Jesus.
This verse continues the lineage of Jesus, tracing his ancestry back through the kings of Israel, specifically from Solomon, David's son, to Rehoboam and then to Abijah. This section of Matthew's genealogy highlights the royal line promised to David, even as it includes kings whose reigns led to the nation's division and eventual exile, a stark contrast to the glorious kingdom God intended.
This verse continues the lineage of Jesus, tracing his ancestry back through the kings of Israel, specifically from Solomon, David's son, to Rehoboam and then to Abijah. This section of Matthew's genealogy highlights the royal line promised to David, even as it includes kings whose reigns led to the nation's division and eventual exile, a stark contrast to the glorious kingdom God intended.
"and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph," — This seemingly simple list of names is actually hiding a significant spiritual truth: even though Rehoboam, Solomon's son, ushered in a time of idolatry and division, he still played a crucial role i…
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Last reviewed October 2026