1. The more one weighs this verse, the more one sees the Gospel characterized by it. It is the Heir of promise. Promise sustaining royalty, restoring favor and power, all failed in the flesh, as Christ proved.
16. The legal title to the house of David was clearly in Joseph; so Luke 1:27.
Compare here Romans 1:3. Yea, as to even this also, we may say Rom. 4:1, for all this ends in death. It is not the declaration of the life in which He lives, though His actual life is spoken of here, but in such terms—it is "of whom was born" (ex hes egennethe).
17. Note there is an entire break at the captivity; the computation begins afresh after it, and does not go through continuously as with David. It is from the carrying away captive into Babylon, not from Josias; compare verses 11, 12.
18, 19. All this provision is remarkable. It is interesting thus to be let in behind the scenes.
20. "Appeared to him by dream" (kat' onar). The end of this verse is a wonderful fact.