and Jesse the father of David the king.Jesse was a Bethlehemite, living in the town of Bethlehem in Judah, which holds significant importance as the prophesied birthplace of the Messiah (
Micah 5:2). Jesse's lineage is crucial as it connects to the tribe of Judah, fulfilling Jacob's prophecy that the scepter would not depart from Judah (
Genesis 49:10). David, his youngest son, was anointed by the prophet Samuel to be king over Israel (
1 Samuel 16:1-13). David's kingship is central to the biblical narrative, as he is a type of Christ, foreshadowing the eternal kingship of Jesus, who is often referred to as the "Son of David" (
Matthew 21:9). David's reign established Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of Israel, and his covenant with God promised that his throne would be established forever (
2 Samuel 7:12-16), a promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,
David's relationship with Bathsheba, originally Uriah's wife, is a pivotal story in the Bible, illustrating themes of sin, repentance, and redemption (2 Samuel 11-12). David's adultery with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband Uriah highlight the human frailty even in a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). Despite this, Solomon, their son, becomes a significant figure, known for his wisdom and for building the first Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6). Solomon's birth and reign are a testament to God's grace and the complexity of His plans, as God chose Solomon to continue the Davidic line, leading ultimately to the birth of Jesus Christ. This lineage underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and redemption, working through flawed human history to bring about His divine purposes.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JesseThe father of David, Jesse was a Bethlehemite and is significant in the lineage of Jesus as the father of the great King David.
2.
DavidKnown as "David the king," he was the second king of Israel, a man after God's own heart, and a central figure in the lineage of Jesus. His reign is marked by both triumphs and failures, including his sin with Bathsheba.
3.
SolomonThe son of David and Bathsheba, Solomon became king after David. Known for his wisdom, Solomon built the first Temple in Jerusalem.
4.
Uriah’s wife (Bathsheba)Originally the wife of Uriah the Hittite, Bathsheba became David's wife after a series of tragic events, including David's sin of adultery and the arranged death of Uriah.
5.
BethlehemThe city of David's birth and a significant location in biblical prophecy, Bethlehem is also the birthplace of Jesus.
Teaching Points
The Sovereignty of God in LineageDespite human failures and sins, God's sovereign plan prevails. The inclusion of David and Bathsheba in Jesus' genealogy demonstrates God's ability to work through imperfect people to fulfill His purposes.
Repentance and RedemptionDavid's life, particularly his sin and subsequent repentance, serves as a powerful example of God's grace and forgiveness. It reminds us that no sin is too great for God's mercy.
The Role of Women in God's PlanThe mention of "Uriah’s wife" highlights the significant, though often overlooked, role of women in biblical history and God's redemptive plan.
The Importance of LegacyDavid's legacy, both positive and negative, impacted future generations. This challenges us to consider the legacy we are leaving for those who come after us.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Matthew 1:6?
2.How does Matthew 1:6 highlight God's grace in David's lineage?
3.What lessons can we learn from David's life for our own faith journey?
4.How does Matthew 1:6 connect to God's covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7?
5.In what ways can we seek God's forgiveness as David did?
6.How does Jesus' lineage through David fulfill Old Testament prophecy?
7.How does Matthew 1:6 support the legitimacy of Jesus' royal lineage through David?
8.Why is David's sin with Bathsheba mentioned in Matthew 1:6 significant for Jesus' genealogy?
9.How does Matthew 1:6 reflect God's grace in using flawed individuals for His purposes?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 1?
11.Who was Bathsheba in the Bible?
12.Who was Obed in the Bible?
13.How do we reconcile God’s promise of an eternal kingdom in 2 Samuel 7 with differing genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke?
14.What is Mary's family lineage?What Does Matthew 1:6 Mean
Jesse the father of David the king“and Jesse the father of David the king.” —Matthew 1:6a
• Matthew pauses to underscore the royal leap in Jesus’ genealogy. Jesse, a humble Bethlehemite (1 Samuel 16:1), is best remembered because God chose his youngest son, David, to be king (1 Samuel 16:11-13).
• By calling David “the king,” Matthew highlights covenant promises:
–2 Samuel 7:12-13 – God vows to establish David’s throne forever.
–Psalm 89:3-4 – the everlasting nature of David’s line.
–Isaiah 11:1 – the “shoot from the stump of Jesse” looked forward to Messiah.
• Placing David at the center reminds readers that Jesus is both legally and prophetically qualified as “Son of David” (Matthew 22:42;Acts 13:22-23).
• The literal listing of Jesse → David assures us Scripture’s historical claims are trustworthy, not mythological; Jesus’ pedigree rests on verifiable persons (Ruth 4:17-22;1 Chronicles 2:13-15).
Key take-aways
– God elevates the unlikely; Jesse’s family was ordinary, yet chosen.
– Every promise tied to David flows directly into Christ’s credentials as rightful King.
David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife“Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife.” —Matthew 1:6b
• Matthew deliberately mentions “Uriah’s wife” instead of naming Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:3). The wording keeps David’s sin and God’s grace in clear view.
•2 Samuel 11-12 relates David’s adultery and the arranged death of Uriah. Yet from that painful episode God brought Solomon, heir to the throne (2 Samuel 12:24-25;1 Kings 1:30).
• By including this blemished moment, Matthew shows:
– The line of Christ is not sanitized; God works through broken people (Romans 5:20).
– Grace is greater than failure; David repented (Psalm 51), and God continued His plan.
– God’s covenant faithfulness overrides human unfaithfulness (2 Timothy 2:13).
• Solomon’s birth also introduces Messianic promises of wisdom, peace, and a temple-building king (1 Chronicles 22:9-10) that foreshadow Christ, the true Prince of Peace and living Temple (John 2:19-21).
• The phrase “by Uriah’s wife” reminds us of justice: God did not forget Uriah, the wronged man (2 Samuel 12:9). His name being spoken in the genealogy honors his integrity.
Key take-aways
– God redeems our worst chapters, weaving them into His redemptive story.
– The credibility of Scripture is strengthened, not weakened, by transparent reporting of sin.
– Jesus’ lineage radiates both royal legitimacy and the triumph of mercy.
summaryMatthew 1:6 bridges ordinary shepherd stock to royal throne, then to scandalous grace. Jesse shows God’s ability to exalt the humble; David affirms the everlasting kingship promised to Messiah; Bathsheba and Uriah’s mention showcase God’s mercy overriding human failure. Together the verse assures us that Jesus, the promised King, stands on a lineage both historically solid and overflowing with God’s redeeming grace.
(6) The wife of Urias.--Once again we have the mention of a woman who at least played a memorable part in the history of Israel. As this is the last of such names in the genealogy, it may be well to deal with the question whether any special purpose can be traced in the selection, beyond that of noting points of interest. Nothing can carry us beyond probable conjectures; but, within those limits, it is at least suggestive that all the names are those of women who, either as of heathen origin (Bathsheba, like her husband, was probably a Hittite), or by personal guilt, were as those whom the strict judgment of the Pharisee excluded from his fellowship. St. Matthew may have meant men to draw the inference that, as these women were not excluded from the honour of being in the Messiah's line of ancestry, so others like them would not be shut out from fellowship with His kingdom.
Verse 6. -
David the king. The mention of David's royal position seems made here because at this point the line of the Messiah first becomes connected with the royal house. At the time when Saul was made king the people chose to have him in opposition to the Divine will; but giving them next as king a man after his own heart, God uses the offence of his people so that it shall become a channel of blessing, and from this king Christ himself shall be born. Of her that had been the wife of Urias. It is not easy to see why Bathsheba is spoken of thus indirectly, as her own name was certainly better known, and is more frequently mentioned in the Old Testament than Uriah's. The phrase seems to call attention most pointedly to David's sin. and that too in a sentence where his kingly dignity has just been markedly emphasized. The way in which God dealt with David and his sin is very parallel to that in which he dealt with the Israelites after their choice of Saul. David's first child, like the Israelites' first king, finds not God's blessing; but the second child is the pledge of peace with God (Solomon) - is Jedidiah, "the beloved of the Lord," as David the second king was the man after God's own heart. She that had been the wife of Uriah, after David's repentance becomes Solomon's mother. Up to this point the genealogies in St. Matthew and St. Luke have entirely accorded, but with the mention of Solomon we come upon a variation, which continues till the union of the two forms of the pedigree in Salathiel (
Shealtiel, Revised Ver-zion), the father of Zerubbabel. In St. Matthew the line which is followed is the succession of the kings of Judah from Solomon to Jehoiachin (
Jechonias) . St. Luke mentions, after David, his son Nathan (of whom we find a notice in
1 Chronicles 3:5;
2 Samuel 5:14), and then passes on through a series of nineteen names, none of which is found in other parts of Scripture as belonging to the race of David. We have nothing, therefore, with which to compare them; but in number they correspond very nearly with the known descendants in the line of Solo,non, so that, although we cannot verify the names, the list bears upon its face the appearance of being derived from some duly kept record of the pedigree of Nathan, the son of David.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
andδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.JesseἸεσσαὶ(Iessai)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2421:(Hebrew), Jesse, son of Obed, and father of King David. Of Hebrew origin; Jessae, an Israelite.the father ofἐγέννησεν(egennēsen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1080:From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate.DavidΔαυὶδ(Dauid)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1138:David, King of Israel. Of Hebrew origin; Dabid, the Israelite king.theτὸν(ton)Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.king.βασιλέα(basilea)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 935:A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign.Next:δὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.DavidΔαυὶδ(Dauid)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1138:David, King of Israel. Of Hebrew origin; Dabid, the Israelite king.was the father ofἐγέννησεν(egennēsen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1080:From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate.SolomonΣολομῶνα(Solomōna)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4672:Solomon, son of David King of Israel, and Bathsheba. Of Hebrew origin; Solomon, the son of David.byἐκ(ek)Preposition
Strong's 1537:From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.Uriah’sΟὐρίου(Ouriou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3774:Uriah, husband of Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. Of Hebrew origin; Urias, a Hittite.[wife],τῆς(tēs)Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 1:6 Jesse became the father of David (Matt. Mat Mt) 
