Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 1:12

12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconia begat Salathiel, and Salathiel begat Zorobabel.

This Ieconiah is generally thought to be Iehojakin the Son of Iehojakim, he is called Ieconiah, 1 Chron. 3.16. as well as Iehojakin, 2 Chron. 36.8. so also Ier. 24.1. he is called Ieconiah the Son of Iehojakim, that this Ieconiah begat Salathiel, appeareth from 1 Chron. 3.17. It is here objected that God said concerning this Ieconiah, called also Coniah, Ier. 22.30. write you this man Childless, how then did he beget Salathiel; but it is easily answered, for that Verse, Ier. 22.30. will expound it self. Write you this man Childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days, for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the Throne of David, and ruling any more in Iudah: So as that Text is plainly to be understood without a Child that shall actually succeed in the Crown, for the Text it self supposeth that he should have seed but none that should prosper, sitting upon the Throne of David, and ruling in Iudah, which the Scripture, 2 Chron. 36. justifieth, for the King of Babylon set up Zedekiah his Uncle in his stead, who was the last King in Iudah, in the eleventh year of whose Reign the Iews were all carried Captive. This Ieconiah had eight Sons as we read, 2 Chron. 3.17.18. Salathiel is there reckoned as his second Son (possibly Assir dyed young, or at least Childless) so as the right of the Crown was in Salathiel, who is the Person alone here named. But how Salathiel is here said, to have begot Zorobabel is yet a greater Difficulty; for, 1 Chron. 3.19. it is said: The Sons of Pedajah (not of Salathiel) were Zorobabel, and Shimei, if Zorobabel were the Son of Pedajah, how could he be the Son of Salathiel? Several Answers are given to this. Some think that Zorobabel, because he descended lineally from Salathiel is called his Son, which were a sufficient Answer if the Supposition were true, that Zorobabel were lineally descended from Salathiel: But that it is not, for according to 1 Chron. 3.18. Pedajah was not the Son, but the Brother of Salathiel. Others think that Salathiel is here said to have begot Zorobabel, because Zorobabel succeeded him in the Kingdom, but as that is a strange Interpretation of the word begat, So neither was Salathiel a King, tho possibly the Title of the Crown was in him, as the Great Grand-child of Iosiah, nor did ever Zorobabel assume the Crown that we read of. Whereas others say, that there were two Zorobabels; and that this Son was the adopted Son of Salathiel, both these things are suggested without Proof. The most probable Opinion which I perceive the best Interpreters acquie[illegible: 1 letter]ce in, is, That Salathiel dying without issue Pedajah his Brother married his Wife according to the Law of God, Deut. 25.5. and begat Zorobabel of her that had been the Wife of Salathiel; and thence it is said Salathiel begat him. Pedajah so raising up seed to his Brother according to the Law aforesaid. To this it is objected by some, That the Law was, That the Child should succeed in the name of the Brother that was dead: So that if this were the Sense it should not have been, Salathiel begat Zorobabel, but Salathiel begat Salathiel. The Answer to this, is not Difficult: For to succeed in the name of the Brother that is dead, doth not signifie to be called by the very name with which he was called, but to be denominated his Son, as if begotten by him. And this is Evident from Ruth 4 10. where Boaz hath these words, Ruth the Moabitess, the Wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my Wife, to raise up the Name of the dead upon his Inheritance, that the Name of the dead, be not cut off from among his Brethren. Yet v. 21. Boaz having a Son by Ruth, did not call his name Mahlon, by the name of his Father, but Obed.

Marginal references: 2 Kin. 24.6.; Ezra 3.2.