Matthew Henry
Lastly. The general summary of all this genealogy we have where it is summed up in three fourteens, signalized by remarkable periods. In the first fourteen, we have the family of David rising, and looking forth as the morning; in the second, we have it flourishing in its meridian lustre; in the third, we have it declining and growing less and less, dwindling into the family of a poor carpenter, and then Christ shines forth out of it, the glory of his people Israel.
Henry Alford
If we carefully observe Matthew's arrangement, we shall have no difficulty in completing the three "fourteens" For the first is from Abraham to David, of course inclusive. The second from David (again inclusive) to the migration; which gives no name, as before, to be included in both the second and third periods, but which is mentioned simultaneously with the begetting of Jechonias, leaving him for the third period. This last, then, takes in from Jechonias to Jesus Christ inclusive. So that the three stand thus, according to the words of this verse: (1) from Abraham to David (2) From David to the migration to Babylon, ie about the time when Josiah begat Jechonias (3) From the migration (ie from Jechonias) to Christ.
