“. . . Espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. . .” (Luke 1:27).

Some wonder how the Lord Jesus could be a descendant of David through Joseph and at the same time virgin born. Mary may well have been of David’s line too, but when Joseph accepted Jesus into his family, there was no contest. Mary’s Son was entitled to all the rights and privileges of being Joseph’s legal heir; therefore, Jesus was of David’s house, also!

According to Old Testament marriage law, a man could have an heir without contributing the biological seed. “And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of His brother which is dead, that His name be not put out of Israel” (Deuteronomy 25:6). In other words, a man who died without child could have an heir without contributing personal seed.

The Lord Jesus was a very special gift to the house of David. Hundreds of years prior, one son was removed from David’s line (II Samuel 12:16) because of his sin. But now, almost a millennium later, a wonderful gift arrives in David’s house. Even David’s sin can finally be removed. “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Isaiah had prophesied much earlier, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder. . . . Of the increase of His government there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever” (Isaiah 9:6,7).

Gabriel said, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:32,33). PGH