Matthew 1:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Solomon is an enigmatic representation of the early Christian community on the pathway of righteousness, while Rehoboam symbolizes a nation that epitomized a path of wickedness. Just as Solomon transgressed in his later years, prompting the Lord to raise adversaries against him and to diminish his reign, Rehoboam experienced a similar fate. When he disregarded the counsel of his elders and heeded the advice of the younger men of his generation, his reign ultimately fell apart, leading to the fragmentation of his kingdom into ten separate tribes, each ruled by its own king, leaving Rehoboam with only two tribes.

The Evangelist references three wives: Rahab, Ruth, and Uriah, who is also known as Bathsheba. Rahab, identified as the foreign harlot, welcomed the spies sent to Jericho and was saved by the Israelites, thus becoming part of their community (Ruth 4:21; 1 Chron. 4:21; 1 Chron. 2:11; 2 Sam. 12:24; 2 Sam. 11:43; 2 Sam. 14:31; 2 Sam. 15:8). The Prophet-king David acknowledged her, declaring, “I will remember Rahab and Babylon among those who know me” (Ps. 86:4). Ruth, a Moabitess by lineage, turned away from idolatry, her homeland, and her relatives to embrace the true God, ultimately joining the people of Israel. Consequently, Boaz chose her as his wife.

Let us shift our focus to the lineage of Jesus Christ. It is from David that the royal line originates prior to the exile in Babylon.

"Solomon fathered Rehoboam" (1 Kings 11:43; 1 Chronicles 3:10). "Rehoboam was the father of Abijah" (1 Kings 14:31). "Abijah fathered Asa" (1 Kings 15:8).