Haggai 2:23 “In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.”

When reading and studying the Bible, the genealogy of the kings of Judah can seem boring and not of much importance.  The Bible also gives details about these kings such as how many children they had and their names.  Despite their appearance of being tedious details, all of this information is of critical importance when establishing who can be the Messiah of Israel.

All of the Scriptures are important, and God did not put Scriptures in the Bible as filler material.  The following genealogy of the kings of Judah into the New Testament leads to the conclusion that only Jesus of Nazareth can be the King Messiah.

The clear line of the Messiah starts with king David.  God promised king David that the Messiah would come through him.  A direct descendant of David would sit on the throne as king in an everlasting kingdom.  Although David would have many sons, God narrowed the Messianic line through one of David’s sons.  The line would go through the son who would build the temple or as it is also called, the house of God.  David’s son who built the temple is the one to follow for the messianic line.

2 Samuel 7:12 “And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. (13) He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

(14) I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: (15) But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. (16) And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.”

This promise to David was not just a statement, but it was recorded in the Bible as a covenant.  A covenant is a solemn oath and is very serious with God.  God links His holiness to the fulfillment of this covenant He made with David.  God cannot base the covenant on anything greater than His holiness.  The very character of God was at stake to uphold this covenant.  Since God's promises are honored, it was God’s responsibility to bring the Messiah and establish the kingdom forever.

Psalm 89:34 “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.(35) Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. (36) His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.”

The covenant that God made with David was that David’s throne would be everlasting.  He would have a descendant who would sit as king on this throne forever.  This was an incredible promise that God made to David.  In fact, the Messiah and David are closely linked in the Bible.  On several occasions, God speaks of the Messiah in the name of king David.  Hosea 3:5 is a good example of this.  At the time of the prophet Hosea, King David was already dead for about 300 years, and now he has been dead for 3000 years. Yet, the prophet says that in the time period known as the latter days, the Jews would return to God and seek David their king.  The reference to David their king is directed toward the Messiah of whom David is a type.

Hosea 3:5 “Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.”

The Bible develops that this covenant with King David was not only for Israel , but the kingdom of the Messiah would include the entire world.  All the world would come under the direct authority of David’s greatest Son, the Messiah of Israel.  David, in Psalm 72, shows the fullness of the covenant God made with him.  This Psalm shows that the Messiah was to rule all the earth and not only Israel .  In Psalm 72, David speaks of the Messiah in the name of Solomon.

Psalm 72:1 “A Psalm for Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.

(7) In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. (8) He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. (9) They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.

(10) The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. (11) Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.”

The Bible records that David had 19 named sons and additional ones unnamed.  His son Solomon, followed David as king and built the temple. The Messianic line continued through Solomon.

1 Chronicles 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:(2) The third, Absalom the son of Maachah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith: (3) The fifth, Shephatiah of Abital: the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife. (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.

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

There is no doubt that the Messianic line went through Solomon because he was king and built the temple or as it also called, the house of the LORD.  According to 2 Samuel 7:13, the son who built the temple would produce the Messiah, so Solomon’s line is critical and has to be studied very closely.  Solomon knew of the covenant and expected the Messiah to come through his line:

1 Kings 5:3 “Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet. (4) But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.

1 Kings 5:5 And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.”

By building the house of the LORD, Solomon becomes a type of the Messiah.  Solomon is the son of David, the first in the line leading to the Messiah.  Like the Messiah, Solomon will build the house of the LORD.  The difference is that the Messiah’s temple and kingdom will never pass away.

The Bible lists only Rehoboam as the son of Solomon.  There is no indication whatsoever of any other sons of Solomon.  Because of the importance of Solomon's genealogy in regards to the Messiah, it is clear that the messianic line went through Rehoboam.  There is no other conclusion, but that the Messianic line follows the kings of Judah .  The line goes all the way through Jeconiah and his grandson Zerubbabel.  The Bible does mention that Solomon had two daughters, 1 Kings 4:11,15.

Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, but the Bible lists only one son for him, Rehoboam: 1Chronicles 3:10 “And Solomon's son was Rehoboam.”  The Scriptures then list that Rehoboam had 28 sons and 60 daughters and gives the numbers of his wives.  It tells us what he did with his children.

2 Chronicles 11:21 “And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)

2 Chronicles 11:22 And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king. (23) And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance.”

The Bible mentioned what David did with his sons, “...and the sons of David were chief about the king.” 1 Chronicles 18:17.  There is no mention whatsoever of Solomon having more than one son.  When Solomon set-up the authority structure of his kingdom, no sons were mentioned.

1 Kings 9:22 “But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they were men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen. (23) These were the chief of the officers that were over Solomon's work, five hundred and fifty, which bare rule over the people that wrought in the work.”

The Bible gives great detail about David, his wives and sons.  Solomon's wives are listed in detail along with Rehoboam’s sons and wives.  However, Rehoboam is the only son listed for Solomon.  The Bible limits the Messianic line from David to Solomon to Rehoboam.  The fact the Bible lists only one son for Solomon leads to two conclusions.  The first is that although Solomon had hundreds of wives, Rehoboam was the only son.  The second is the Bible focuses on Rehoboam as the messianic line.  In either case, there is no doubt that the Messiah will come through Rehoboam’s line.

The Scriptures give the progression of the weakening of David’s kingdom and how God dealt with the rebellion against Him.  The first thing to happen was that after Solomon died, the kingdom was divided in two because of the sin of Solomon and the people.  The kingdom, then divided into two sections: Israel and Judah .  The northern kingdom of Israel with 10 tribes was given to Jeroboam, and Rehoboam was given the southern kingdom with two tribes.  Jeroboam was not a son of Solomon nor was he a descendant of king David.  He was one of Solomon’s top leaders who was appointed the governor of a section of Israel .

When Solomon died, Jeroboam became the king of Israel while Rehoboam became the king of Judah .  The messianic line followed Rehoboam as Solomon's only son and not Jeroboam.  As the kings and people continued to rebel against God, the judgments became progressively worse on the kingdom.  The first major judgment on the messianic line was when God divided the kingdom.  This division as found in 1Kings 11 follows:

1 Kings 11:31 “And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee: (32) (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)

(33) Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.

(34) Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes:

(35) But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes. (36) And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem , the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.”

King Hezekiah was the next king to bring judgment on the Messianic line.  Hezekiah was a good king and did that which pleased God.  God greatly blessed him, but Hezekiah made a huge mistake that would drastically effect the future of the kings of Judah .  Babylon sent ambassadors to meet with Hezekiah.  In a foolish moment, Hezekiah showed them all the great wealth of the kingdom.

After the ambassadors left, the prophet Isaiah came to Hezekiah and asked him about showing the Babylonians the treasury.  Isaiah rebuked the king for being so proud to show the treasury to the pagans.  Isaiah then pronounced a judgment on the king that his descendants would be taken captive to Babylon and made eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon .  Because of pride, Hezekiah showed all the wealth of the treasury.  This would be the lure one hundred years later that would draw the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem :

Isaiah 39:2 “And Hezekiah was glad of them, and showed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah showed them not.”

Isaiah 39:5 “Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts: (6) Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. (7) And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon .”

The kings' rebellion against God started with Solomon and reached a climax with king Manasseh.  This king did everything to provoke God’s wrath against the kingly line and the people of Judah .  Manasseh worshipped the pagan gods and sacrificed his own children to their images.  He lead the people of Judah to the same pagan worship.

The result of Manasseh's rebellion against the God of Israel lead the LORD to pronounce his judgment upon Manasseh and the people of Judah .  This judgment included the destruction of the nation and Jerusalem .  The judgment was set during the time of Manasseh and never reversed.

2 Kings 21:10 “And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets, saying, (11) Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols: (12) Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle.

(13) And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria , and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down.

(14) And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies;

(15) Because they have done that which was evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt , even unto this day.”

When God set the judgment decree, nothing could change it.  Manasseh was taken captive and chained.  In his affliction, he cried out to God.  He repented of the wickedness he had done and led Israel into; however, Manasseh’s repentance did not annul the judgment decree.  Manasseh’s repentance follows:

2 Chronicles 33:12 “And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, (13) And prayed unto him: and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.”

Israel had a tremendous revival under king Josiah.  Josiah led Israel to cleanse the land of paganism and restore the Passover.  The Bible says that Josiah turned to God with all his heart and soul.  Even with this tremendous turning back to God, this could not change the judgment decree upon Judah .  The decree was set because of the sin of Manasseh.  King Josiah's repentance and returning back to God could not alter this decree.

2 Kings 23:26 “Notwithstanding the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah , because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal.

(27) And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel , and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.”

Jeremiah 15:4 “And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.”

Because of the judgment decree made during the reign of Manasseh, the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and took the Jews captive to Babylon .

2 Kings 24:3 “Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah , to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did;”

The next king of Judah to bring judgment on the messianic line was Jeconiah.  He is also called Coniah and Jehoiachin.  All three names Jeconiah, Coniah and Jehoiachin refer to the same king of Judah .  Jeconiah was an evil king and God was outraged with him.  During Jeconiah’s reign, God judged the kingly line with a curse.  The curse was that no descendant of Jeconiah would sit as king of Israel .  Jeconiah had children, but the prophet Jeremiah said consider him childless.  Jeconiah was removed as king and replaced with his uncle Zedekiah.

Jeremiah 22:24 “As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence; (29) O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.

Jeremiah 22:30 Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah .”

This curse on king Jeconiah was made in the strongest possible language.  The prophet said, “O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord.”  The curse was initiated with a triple declaration of “earth, earth, earth.”  This is the only time in the Bible that such a triple declaration of a curse was made.  This is unique in all the Bible.  There was no remedy for this curse.  It was not conditional.  There is no indication in the Scriptures that if Jeconiah repented the curse would be lifted.  This curse was final, and it was established forever.

God made a decree during the reign of King Manasseh that Jerusalem was going to be judged.  King Manasseh eventually repented of the evil which he had committed.  God forgave him, but the repentance did not release the judgment decree.  Jerusalem was destroyed exactly as God had decreed.  There is no indication that Jeconiah even repented.  If God did not lift the judgment decree after Manasseh repented, there is absolutely no reason to believe this curse on Jeconiah was rescinded.  All the indications are that once this curse was given, it was sealed.

One part of the curse was that Jeconiah would be taken captive to Babylon .  He would desire to return to Israel , but would die in captivity.  He would be unable to return to Israel and would die in the land of Babylon .  Exactly as the prophet stated, the curse and punishment fell upon Jeconiah to the letter of the decree.  He never again saw the land of Israel .  He died under the curse in Babylon .  There is no indication in the Bible that this curse was lifted off Jeconiah or any of his descendants.  It stands to this day.

A condition of the curse:

“And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country, where ye were not born; and there shall ye die. But to the land whereunto they desire to return, thither shall they not return.” Jeremiah 22:26, 27

The fulfillment of the curse:

“And for his diet, there was a continual diet given him of the king of Babylon , every day a portion until the day of his death, all the days of his life.” Jeremiah 52:34

Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon and was taken prisoner.  All of the king’s sons were killed by the Babylonians.  The combination of the curse on the kingly line and the deaths of all Zedekiah’s sons ended the line from Solomon through Rehoboam.  From 586 BC when Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon ended the kingdom of Judah , there has not been a king to sit on the throne of David.  No son of David since that time has sat as the king of Israel .

Jeremiah 52:10 “And the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes: he slew also all the princes of Judah in Riblah.”

The Messianic line through Solomon thus was cut off and came to an end.  The line ended three ways.  The sons of king Zedekiah were all killed.  A curse was placed on all the sons of king Jeconiah that they could not sit on the throne of David as the king of Israel .  The descendants of king Hezekiah were all made eunuchs in Babylon , and thus they were unable to continue the kingly line.

God was furious with the kings of the Messianic line.  From Solomon to Zedekiah there were 21 kings and only a few did that which was right before the Lord.  God’s fury at the kings can be seen even far into the future.  During the Messiah’s reign, God condemns these kings and wants their sin far from Him.

God will require Jerusalem to be cleansed of all the iniquity the kings were doing as a prerequisite for His presence in the temple in Jerusalem .  God’s dealings with the Messianic line will be carried far into the future.  A condition for God’s presence among His people is that the iniquity of the kings must be cleansed.  This will occur thousands of years after the line ended.  God was furious with the Messianic line through Solomon and ended it.  The following verses show how furious God was with Solomon’s line:

Ezekiel 43:7 “And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.

(8) In their setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and their post by my posts, and the wall between me and them, they have even defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed: wherefore I have consumed them in mine anger. (9) Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.”

By John McTernan: Defend and Proclaim the Faith
Blog: John McTernan's Insights at www.johnmcternan.name