Connect 1 Chronicles 2:41 to God's covenant promises in the Old Testament. Setting the Scene “Shallum was the father of Jekamiah, and Jekamiah was the father of Elishama.” – 1 Chronicles 2:41 At first glance it looks like a simple footnote in a family tree, yet this single sentence sits inside a wider tapestry designed to remind God’s people that every covenant promise is still on track. Why This Line Matters • 1 Chronicles 2 records the descendants of Judah, the royal tribe chosen in Genesis 49:10. • The list begins with Judah, moves through Perez, and eventually highlights David’s branch (2:15). • Verse 41 belongs to a parallel branch descending from Sheshan, who married his daughter to an Egyptian servant (2:34–35). The chronicler deliberately preserves even that unexpected connection; God’s covenant purposes are never threatened by human detours. Linking to the Foundational Covenants • Genesis 12:1-3 – God promises Abraham land, descendants, and worldwide blessing. Every genealogical link after Abraham demonstrates that the “seed” promise is still moving forward. • Genesis 17:7 – The covenant is “an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.” Verse 41 shows another link in that everlasting chain. • Genesis 49:10 – Judah receives the royal promise: “The scepter will not depart from Judah.” The chronicler’s meticulous Judahite record—including Shallum, Jekamiah, and Elishama—confirms that the scepter is still in Judah’s grasp. • 2 Samuel 7:12-16 – God promises David a house, a throne, and a kingdom forever. Chronicles was compiled after the exile; by preserving Judah’s lines, it reassures the remnant that the Davidic covenant has not failed. • Jeremiah 33:20-21 – God anchors the Davidic covenant to the unfailing cycle of day and night. A seemingly obscure verse like 1 Chronicles 2:41 stands as further evidence. A Glimpse of Covenant Inclusiveness • Sheshan’s branch proves God can weave foreigners into covenant history (Exodus 12:48; Isaiah 56:6-7). • An Egyptian servant receives an Israelite bride, their line merges into Judah’s heritage, and the chronicler calls each name sacred history. • This anticipates the inclusion of Rahab (Joshua 6; Matthew 1:5) and Ruth (Ruth 4:13-22) in the royal line that leads to Christ. From Elishama to the Messiah • Chronicles pauses with Elishama, but Matthew 1 and Luke 3 pick up the Judahite thread and carry it all the way to Jesus. • The Lord’s genealogy confirms every covenant promise: the seed of Abraham, the tribe of Judah, the throne of David—all fulfilled literally in Christ (Luke 1:32-33). Take-Home Reflections • No detail in Scripture is filler; every name in God’s book has purpose. • Genealogies ground faith in real history. The covenant is not mythic but measurable, name by name. • God’s faithfulness extends beyond ethnic Israel to any outsider who clings to His covenant. • Because He kept His Word through generations of ordinary people, we can trust Him with our own place in His unfolding plan. |
    |