Synopsis of the Chapter
The sons of David are listed, and his grandsons the Kings of Judah with their sons and daughters.
Verse 1: David's Sons ¶
1. DAVID HAD THESE SONS. — These and the following I explained at 2 Kings III, 2 and following.
Verse 5: Four by Bathsheba ¶
5. FOUR BY BATHSHEBA — some think the first three, namely 'Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan,' were sons of Uriah, whom David later adopted, to compensate for the injury of adultery and murder done to Uriah: but the fourth, namely Solomon, was David's only son by Bathsheba, because Solomon says in Proverbs chapter IV, 3, that he was 'the only-begotten before his mother.' But others more correctly think that all of these were David's sons, and that Solomon is called 'only-begotten' meaning uniquely beloved by his mother, as I said at Proverbs chapter IV, 3.
DAUGHTER OF AMMIEL — 'Ammiel' was also known by another name 'Eliam,' who was the son of Ahithophel and one of the thirty mighty men, or heroes of David, 2 Kings chapter XXIII, 34.
Verse 15: The Sons of Josiah ¶
15. THE FIRSTBORN (of Josiah) JOHANAN, THE SECOND JEHOIAKIM, THE THIRD ZEDEKIAH, THE FOURTH SHALLUM. — 'Johanan' died an early death, and was perhaps killed in battle together with his father Josiah: whence Jehoahaz succeeded Josiah in the kingdom, then Jehoiakim, third Zedekiah. Jehoahaz had two names: for he was also called 'Shallum,' and was the third son born to Josiah. For when Jehoahaz began to reign he was 23 years old, Jehoiakim succeeding him after three months was 25 years old, and Zedekiah succeeding after eleven years of reign was only 21 years old. You will ask: Why then is 'Shallum,' that is 'Jehoahaz,' placed last, when in fact Zedekiah was the youngest of all? I respond: The reason is that Jehoahaz reigned only three months, after which he was captured by Pharaoh and taken away to Egypt; whereas Jehoiakim reigned eleven years, and Zedekiah the same, see what was said at Jeremiah chapter XXII, 11. Jehoahaz therefore was fourth not in age, but in the dignity, or rather indignity, and brevity of his reign. For in age the first son of Josiah was Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Jehoahaz or Shallum, the fourth Zedekiah.
Verse 17: The Sons of Jeconiah ¶
17. THE SONS OF JECONIAH WERE ASSIR. — Eight sons of Jeconiah are listed: yet he is called barren, Jeremiah XXII, 30, because none succeeded him in the kingdom, as Jeremiah explains in that place.
Verse 19: From Pedaiah Descended Zerubbabel ¶
19. FROM PEDAIAH DESCENDED ZERUBBABEL AND SHIMEI. — This Zerubbabel is different from the Zerubbabel who was the ancestor of Christ, Matthew chapter I. However, he was his cousin; for that one, Matthew chapter I, was the son of Shealtiel. Some, however, think it is one and the same Zerubbabel, who was by nature the son of Pedaiah, but by adoption the son of Shealtiel. But these must consequently say that one of the sons of Zerubbabel listed here was called by another name, Abiud: for in Matthew I, Zerubbabel is said to have begotten Abiud. Whence Mariana thinks that Hananiah who follows here was also called by another name, Abiud.