The Scarlet Thread: From Abraham to Jesus the Messiah
The forty-one generation royal genealogy recorded in Matthew 1:1–17 and Ruth 4:18–22 — tracing God's unbreakable covenant promise from Abraham through Judah, Rahab, Ruth, King David, the exile in Babylon, and the post-exilic remnant to Jesus Christ.
Covenant Patriarch — 'In your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed' (Genesis 22:18).
Renamed Israel; prophesied that the royal scepter belongs to Judah (Genesis 49:10).
Forefather of the royal tribe; Tamar is the first woman named in Matthew's genealogy.
Father of tribal prince Nahshon and father-in-law of Aaron (Exodus 6:23).
Chief prince of the standard of Judah during the Exodus (Numbers 2:3).
Married Rahab of Jericho — the second woman named in Matthew's genealogy.
Kinsman-Redeemer of Bethlehem; Ruth the Moabite is the third woman named in Matthew 1.
Bethlehemite father of David; 'the stump of Jesse' (Isaiah 11:1).
First king of the southern kingdom of Judah after the division.
Appealed to God's covenant of salt with David (2 Chronicles 13:5).
Reforming king of Judah who relied on the LORD against Zerah's host.
Sent the Levite praise choir ahead of his army (2 Chronicles 20:21).
Spared because God promised to keep a lamp burning for David (2 Kings 8:19).
Given the prophecy of the virgin birth of Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).
Trusted in the LORD like no king before or after him (2 Kings 18:5).
Humbled himself in Babylonian chains and was restored (2 Chronicles 33:12–13).
Tore his robes upon hearing the rediscovered Book of the Law (2 Kings 22:11).
Carried into Babylonian exile; later lifted from prison to the king's table (2 Kings 25:27).
Governor who rebuilt the Second Temple alongside Joshua the High Priest; God's 'signet ring' (Haggai 2:23).
Righteous son of David and husband of the virgin Mary.
The promised Messiah, Son of David, Son of Abraham, and King of Kings.