According to Matthew, Josiah's successor was Jechonias; according to Chronicles, Jehoahaz; according to Jeremiah, Shallum; according to Kings, Jehoiakim. 29 Who was the father of Jechonias? Matthew: "Josias begat Jechonias" (i, 11). Josias was not the father but the grandfather of Jechonias. "And the sons of Josiah were, ... the second Jehoiakim.... And the sons of Jehoiakim: Jechoniah, his son" (1 Chron. iii, 15, 16). 30 When did Josias beget Jechonias? Matthew: "And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away into Babylon" (i, 11). Josiah became king 641 B. C. and died 610 B. C. Jechonias was carried to Babylon 588 B. C., 22 years after Josiah died. 31 Did Jechonias have a son? Matthew: "And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel" (i, 12). "As I live, saith the Lord, though Coniah [Jechonias], the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence.... O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord, Write ye 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 no more in Judah" (Jeremiah xxii, 24-30). This curse was pronounced upon Jechonias before he was taken to Babylon. By this divine oath Jesus is precluded from becoming an heir to the throne of David. God swears that Jechonias shall be childless, and that no descendant of his shall ever sit upon the throne. Yet Matthew, in the face of this oath, declares that Jechonias did not remain childless, that he begat a son, Salathiel, the progenitor of Jesus. In attempting to make Jesus an heir to David's throne Matthew makes God a liar and perjurer. 32 Matthew says that Salathiel was the son of Jechonias. Who does Luke declare him to be? "The son of Neri" (iii, 27). 33 Who was the father of Zorobabel? Matthew: "And Salathiel begat Zorobabel" (i, 12). Luke: "Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel" (iii, 27). Here both Evangelists agree--agree to disagree with Chronicles which says that Zorobabel was the son of Pedaiah, the brother of Salathiel. "And the sons of Pedaiah were Zerubbabel and Shimei" (1 Chron. iii, 19). 34 Who was the son of Zorobabel? Matthew: "And Zorobabel begat Abiud" (i, 13). Luke: "Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel" (iii, 27). Each contradicts the other, and both contradict the Old Testament (1 Chron. iii, 19, 20). 35 Who was the father of Joseph? Matthew: "And Jacob begat Joseph" (i, 16). Luke: "Joseph, which was the son of Heli" (iii, 23). 36 If Jesus was descended from David, the descent was through one of David's sons. Which one? Matthew: Solomon (i, 6-16). Luke: Nathan (iii, 23-31). Luke reaches the same person by way of one brother that Matthew does by way of the other. 37