It’s easy to let our eyes glaze over when we come to the long lists of names we find in the Chronicles. But these names served a valuable purpose for those who first read these books. For they were the tiny remnant of God’s people who had returned from exile in Babylon. They were wondering how, few as they were, they would ever be able to re-settle the land God had promised to give their ancestors. And as subjects of an unbelieving empire, they wondered if they would ever be free to worship God in the way He had prescribed.

It’s easy for modern American Christians to sympathize with them. No, we may not have been conquered in a military way, but we cannot deny that our culture is careening away from its formerly Christian moorings. It’s easy for us to feel like strangers in a strange land, wondering how our faith can possibly survive all of the moral, ethical, and political challenges that we face.

But that’s why I Chronicles chapter 3 remains so important. For it traces the line of David, listing all of his children (3:1-9), and paying special attention to the kings that descended from him (3:10-16). But verses 17 through 24 go on to list those who were born in the royal line even after the fall of Jerusalem, even after David’s descendants ceased to have any worldly political power. The first readers of this book probably knew some of the people listed here, and so they had living proof that God hadn’t allowed the line of David to be extinguished. They still held on to hope that a descendant of David would reign on his throne forever, just as God promised (see II Samuel 7:16).

And of course we know that, in Jesus Christ, God has kept that promise. For the genealogy we find in Matthew chapter 1 continues the line described in I Chronicles chapter three, thus demonstrating that Jesus is the rightful heir to David. And even though Jesus didn’t wield any greater worldly political power than any of the other men named in I Chronicles 3:17-24, by virtue of His death, resurrection and ascension, Jesus holds all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Yes, Jesus is the Son of David whose kingdom shall have no end.

So, just as those returning from exile continued to hope that the Son of David would come, we can be sure that He will one day display His power and glory, even to those who continue to despise Him and His teaching. For when He comes again, will any worldly wealth or power be able stand against Him?

I Chronicles 3:1-24 (NASB)

Now these were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: the first-born was Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second was Daniel, by Abigail the Carmelitess;
2 the third was Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth was Adonijah the son of Haggith;
3 the fifth was Shephatiah, by Abital; the sixth was Ithream, by his wife Eglah.
4 Six were born to him in Hebron, and there he reigned seven years and six months. And in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years.
5 And these were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon, four, by Bath-shua the daughter of Ammiel;
6 and Ibhar, Elishama, Eliphelet,
7 Nogah, Nepheg, and Japhia,
8 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine.
9 All these were the sons of David, besides the sons of the concubines; and Tamar was their sister.
10 Now Solomon’s son was Rehoboam, Abijah was his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,
11 Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,
12 Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son,
13 Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,
14 Amon his son, Josiah his son.
15 And the sons of Josiah were Johanan the first-born, and the second was Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum.
16 And the sons of Jehoiakim were Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son.
17 And the sons of Jeconiah, the prisoner, were Shealtiel his son,
18 and Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.
19 And the sons of Pedaiah were Zerubbabel and Shimei. And the sons of Zerubbabel were Meshullam and Hananiah, and Shelomith was their sister;
20 and Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-hesed, five.
21 And the sons of Hananiah were Pelatiah and Jeshaiah, the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shecaniah.
22 And the son of Shecaniah was Shemaiah, and the sons of Shemaiah were Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat, six.
23 And the sons of Neariah were Elioenai, Hizkiah, and Azrikam, three.
24 And the sons of Elioenai were Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani, seven.