Matthew 1:7
and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Even though these names are listed as simple generations, they represent kings whose actions—especially Rehoboam's disastrous reign—directly led to the fracturing of Israel and its eventual exile. This lineage isn't just a list of names but a stark reminder of how even the descendants of great leaders can bring about profound consequences, shaping the very history that leads to Christ's coming.
This verse is part of a genealogy tracing Jesus' lineage from King David through Solomon. It highlights the continuation of David's royal line, but immediately after, the narrative context shifts to the division of the kingdom and the subsequent spiritual decline of the people of Israel, which led to significant consequences and eventual exile. This lineage, therefore, connects Jesus not only to David's promise but also to the history of Israel's faithfulness and unfaithfulness.
This verse is just a few names in a long list, but it traces a lineage through kings, rebellion, and exile. How does God's faithfulness shine through even when human choices lead to disaster?
Matthew's genealogy isn't just a dry record; it's a narrative of God's covenant promises unfolding through history.
A Kingdom Divided
Solomon, a man of great wisdom, ultimately fell into idolatry, leading to the division of the kingdom after his death. Rehoboam, his son, inherited a fractured realm. This division wasn't just political; it was spiritual, leading to widespread idolatry and ultimately, exile.
The Source of Hope
Despite the unfaithfulness of kings and the nation's drift into sin, God's promise to David—that his lineage would endure—remained intact. Even through periods of exile and weakened authority, God was sovereignly working to bring about the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ. This lineage, marked by both faithfulness and failure, demonstrates that God's plan doesn't depend on human perfection but on His own steadfast love.
Why list so many names? Matthew's genealogy isn't just a historical record; it's a theological statement. What's the deeper meaning behind tracing Jesus' lineage?
Genealogies in Scripture often serve more than just identification; they highlight God's purposes and promises.
Connecting to Abraham and David
Matthew's genealogy specifically links Jesus to Abraham, the recipient of the promise that all nations would be blessed through his offspring, and to David, the king from whom the eternal King would come. This meticulously traces Jesus' right to fulfill these foundational covenants.
More Than Just Ancestry
While this specific verse names kings like Solomon and Rehoboam, the entire genealogy, as noted by commentators, is structured to emphasize Jesus' unique identity. It proves He is the promised Messiah, not just by bloodline, but by fulfilling divine promises made centuries earlier. The inclusion of names, even those associated with difficult periods, underscores God's sovereign hand in bringing about salvation through this specific line.
c. 931 BC— this verse
Kingdom Splits After Solomon
After Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam's harsh policies led to the division of the United Monarchy into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. Rehoboam reigned in Judah.
c. 915-913 BC
Rehoboam's Reign in Judah
Rehoboam, son of Solomon, ruled the southern kingdom of Judah. His reign was marked by religious apostasy and conflict with the northern kingdom.
c. 913-873 BC
Abijah's Reign in Judah
Abijah (also called Abijam), son of Rehoboam, reigned for a short period in Judah. His reign was also characterized by conflict with the northern kingdom and religious unfaithfulness.
c. 913-873 BC
Asa's Reign in Judah
Asa, son of Abijah, ruled Judah for a significant period, initiating reforms and attempting to remove idolatry. However, he also faced ongoing conflict and relied on foreign alliances.
This passage in Kings records the same succession from Solomon to Rehoboam, providing the historical context for the beginning of the divided kingdom and the spiritual decline that followed.
1 Kings 15:1-8This passage details the reigns of Rehoboam (called Abijam here) and Asa, highlighting Asa's significant reforms and his faithfulness to God, contrasting with the failures of his predecessors.
2 Chronicles 11:1-4This passage describes the division of the kingdom under Rehoboam, stemming from Solomon's lineage, and sets the stage for the ensuing struggles of the Davidic line.
Psalm 132:11-12This psalm is a prayer for God's faithfulness to David, promising that one of his descendants would sit on the throne forever, a promise that underpins the entire genealogy leading to Jesus.
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.
Even though these names are listed as simple generations, they represent kings whose actions—especially Rehoboam's disastrous reign—directly led to the fracturing of Israel and its eventual exile. This lineage isn't just a list of names but a stark reminder of how even the descendants of great leaders can bring about profound consequences, shaping the very history that leads to Christ's coming.
This verse is part of a genealogy tracing Jesus' lineage from King David through Solomon. It highlights the continuation of David's royal line, but immediately after, the narrative context shifts to the division of the kingdom and the subsequent spiritual decline of the people of Israel, which led to significant consequences and eventual exile. This lineage, therefore, connects Jesus not only to David's promise but also to the history of Israel's faithfulness and unfaithfulness.
This verse is part of a genealogy tracing Jesus' lineage from King David through Solomon. It highlights the continuation of David's royal line, but immediately after, the narrative context shifts to the division of the kingdom and the subsequent spiritual decline of the people of Israel, which led to significant consequences and eventual exile. This lineage, therefore, connects Jesus not only to David's promise but also to the history of Israel's faithfulness and unfaithfulness.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Matthew 1:7 is available in the Sola app.
"and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph," — Even though these names are listed as simple generations, they represent kings whose actions—especially Rehoboam's disastrous reign—directly led to the fracturing of Israel and its eventual exile. Th…
