20140703 Thursday, July 3 2014
1 Chronicles 03: The Royal Line Of David

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations"

David became King of Judah during the civil war (see King David Of Judah and The War Between The Houses of David and Saul). When the conflict was over, victorious David was elected the king of all of Israel (see The Election Of Kings).

David's capital during the civil war was Hebron, a major city of Judah located about 30 kilometers / 19 miles south of Jerusalem. David thereafter captured Jerusalem and made it, not only an Israelite city, but the capital of the united kingdom of Israel (see How Long Was Jerusalem The Capital Of Israel? and The Ark Of The LORD In The City Of David).

King David had many wives (see The Wives Of King David) and many children. Some were born in Hebron, while others were born in Jerusalem.

"3:1 Now these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess: 3:2 The third, Absalom the son of Maachah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith: 3:3 The fifth, Shephatiah of Abital: the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife. 3:4 These six were born unto him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years.

3:5 And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel: 3:6 Ibhar also, and Elishama, and Eliphelet, 3:7 And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia, 3:8 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine. 3:9 These were all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister." (1 Chronicles 3:1-9 KJV)

The royal line of David continued through King Solomon. Then, as it began, it carried on through the Kingdom of Judah after Israel was divided (see The First Kings Of Israel and Judah and When Will The United Kingdom Be Restored?).

"3:10 And Solomon's son was Rehoboam, Abia his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son, 3:11 Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son, 3:12 Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son, 3:13 Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son, 3:14 Amon his son, Josiah his son. 3:15 And the sons of Josiah were, the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum. 3:16 And the sons of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son." (1 Chronicles 3:10-16 KJV)

The reigning monarchy of Judah ended with the fall of Judah to Babylon (see What Did Jeremiah's Letter To Babylon Say?). The royal line of David continued however through the Babylonian exile, the return from Babylon (see Ezra: The Return Of The Levites To Jerusalem and Nehemiah: The Return Of The Governor), and the centuries until the birth of the Messiah (see the Fact Finder question below).

"3:17 And the sons of Jeconiah; Assir, Salathiel his son, 3:18 Malchiram also, and Pedaiah, and Shenazar, Jecamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah. 3:19 And the sons of Pedaiah were, Zerubbabel, and Shimei: and the sons of Zerubbabel; Meshullam, and Hananiah, and Shelomith their sister: 3:20 And Hashubah, and Ohel, and Berechiah, and Hasadiah, Jushabhesed, five. 3:21 And the sons of Hananiah; Pelatiah, and Jesaiah: the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shechaniah. 3:22 And the sons of Shechaniah; Shemaiah: and the sons of Shemaiah; Hattush, and Igeal, and Bariah, and Neariah, and Shaphat, six. 3:23 And the sons of Neariah; Elioenai, and Hezekiah, and Azrikam, three. 3:24 And the sons of Elioenai were, Hodaiah, and Eliashib, and Pelaiah, and Akkub, and Johanan, and Dalaiah, and Anani, seven." (1 Chronicles 3:17-24 KJV)

Fact Finder: From the genealogy of Jesus Christ: "1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations." (Matthew 1:17 KJV). Why is Abraham counted as the beginning of the royal line of David and the Messiah?
See From Adam To The Seed Of Abraham and The LORD's Seed Covenants With The Two Men Of Iraq