Excursus 2: Outline of the 42 Generations in the Genealogy of Matthew— First Period • 88
Chapter 8 The First Generation: Abraham • 93
1. Abraham Had Isaac, the Promised Son • 93
2. Abraham Became the Father of Faith • 95
3. Abraham’s Bosom Was Portrayed as Paradise • 96
4. Abraham Received the Honorable Title, “Friend of God” • 97
Chapter 9 The Second Generation: Isaac • 100
1. Isaac Was the Promised Child • 100
2. Isaac Had Absolute Obedience • 101
3. Isaac Blessed Jacob with the Blessing of the Firstborn • 102
Chapter 10 The Third Generation: Jacob • 104
1. Jacob Received the Blessing of the Firstborn • 104
2. Jacob Became the Foundation for the Establishment of the Nation of Israel • 105
3. Jacob Blessed His 12 Sons by Faith • 106
Chapter 11 The Fourth Generation: Judah • 108
1. Judah, along with His Brothers, Sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites • 108
2. Judah Lost His First Son Er and His Second Son Onan • 109
3. Judah Became the Father of Perez by Tamar, His Daughter-in-law • 110
Chapter 12 The Fifth Generation: Perez • 112
1. Perez Attained the Birthright in the Womb • 112
2. Perez Became the Father of Hezron • 113
Chapter 13 The Sixth Generation: Hezron • 115
1. Hezron Was the Father of Five Sons by His Two Wives • 115
2. Hezron’s Family Grew Immensely by God’s Sovereign Grace • 116
3. Hezron Was Buried in Caleb-ephrathah in the Land of Canaan • 117
Chapter 14 The Seventh Generation: Ram • 119
1. Ram Was Recorded in the Genealogy of Jesus Christ Although He Was the Second Born • 119
2. The Genealogy According to the Gospel of Luke Records Ram as “Arni” • 120
Chapter 15 The Eighth Generation: Amminadab • 122
1. Amminadab Is Related to the House of Aaron the High Priest • 122
2. The Account of Amminadab’s Time Shows that Some Generations Were Omitted in the Genealogy of Jesus Christ • 123
Chapter 16 The Ninth Generation: Nahshon • 125
1. Nahshon Was the Leader of the Tribe of Judah in the Wilderness • 125
2. Nahshon Was the First in Presenting an Offering • 126
3. Nahshon Went on Ahead in the Wilderness March • 126
Chapter 17 The Tenth Generation: Salmon • 128
1. Salmon Married Rahab the Harlot • 128
2. Salmon Had a Generous Heart • 130
Chapter 18 The Eleventh Generation: Boaz • 132
1. Boaz Lived During the Period of the Judges • 132
2. Boaz Was a Mighty Man of Wealth, Yet a Man of Humility • 133
3. Boaz Acted Swiftly in Becoming the Kinsman-redeemer • 134
4. Boaz Became the Father of Obed by Ruth • 135
Chapter 19 The Twelfth Generation: Obed • 138
1. Obed Was Named Because He Was Known to Be “A Son Born to Naomi” • 138
2. Obed Supported Naomi • 139
Chapter 20 The Thirteenth Generation: Jesse • 141
1. David, Jesse’s Youngest Son, Was Selected to Become King • 141
2. Jesse Was the Closest Observer of All the Events Leading up to David’s Enthronement • 142
3. Jesse Was Referred to as an Ancestor of the Messiah • 144
Chapter 21 The Fourteenth Generation: David • 147
1. David’s Life of Refuge Calls to Mind the Suffering of Jesus Christ • 148
2. David Became the Passageway of the Messianic Covenant • 149
The History of the Judges • 153
Chapter 22 Understanding the Judges • 156
1. Definition of the Judges • 156
2. Characteristics of the Period of the Judges • 157
Chapter 23 Chronology of the Period of the Judges • 161
1. The Reigning Periods of Ehud and Shamgar Appear to Overlap • 162
2. The Reigning Periods of Tola and Jair Appear to Overlap • 163
3. The Periods of Oppression by the Ammonites and the Philistines (Judg 10:7–8; 13:1) Appear to Overlap • 163
Excursus 3: The Chronology of the Period of the Judges • 164
Chapter 24 The Works of the Judges • 169
1. Othniel • 169
2. Ehud • 173
3. Shamgar • 176
4. Deborah • 178
5. Gideon • 184
6. Tola • 193
7. Jair • 195
8. Jephthah • 198
9. Ibzan • 203
10. Elon • 207
11. Abdon • 209
12. Samson • 211
From Saul to David • 221
Chapter 25 The History of King Saul • 224
1. The Selection of Saul • 225
2. Saul’s Reign • 226
3. Relationship Between Saul and David • 229