I Chronicles 1-3

“The descendants of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son; and the sons of Jeconiah, the captive …” (3:16-17).  The Chronicles’ long list of names reveal God’s mercy, beginning with Adam, tracing global lineages, and eventually focusing on the descendants of God’s covenant with Abraham.  Some were faithful to God, like Enoch, and many were not; Israel was so unfaithful that David’s royal descendants were captives in Babylon (3:17).  But the list doesn’t end there.

“The sons of Elioenai …” (3:24).  Elioenai was born long after God’s Temple was destroyed and Israel was scattered.  But from Adam’s sin through Israel’s wicked kings, righteous prophets, and surviving “remnant,” God’s mercy prevailed; at the right time He sent Jesus.