What's In A Name?

I noticed something as I was glancing over some of the Biblical genealogies -- the "begats" as I once heard them called. And I have to admit, dry as they often are, there are some interesting things to notice therein. For example, a couple of David's children....

"These were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon, four, by Bath-shua the daughter of Ammiel...."
           -1 Chronicles 3:5

It's slightly interesting that "Bathsheba" (daughter of an oath) has become "Bathshua" (daughter of wealth) upon taking up with David. It's generally ascribed to a transcription error -- one letter different in Hebrew. It seems rather appropriate to me..... Giving up the oath to get wealth? Perhaps. But let's look at the kids.

The first son mentioned, possibly the one who died shortly after birth as a result of God's judgment, is Shimea -- the announcement. What was announced to David? Nathan came and drew David to see his own guilt. The Israelites were strong believers in naming children for their feelings, or for the circumstances around their birth. In Shimea's case, the circumstance was simple -- God's message had been announced in judgment against David.

David's second listed son is named "Shobab" -- depending on the reading, either rebellious or repentant. (It means "to turn away"...) After Nathan's announcement, David responded with repentance and contrition before God for his sin with Bathsheba. Of course, that didn't stop him from keeping her as a wife and having more children, so both make sense.

Solomon or Shelomah, mentioned fourth, was actually the eldest of the surviving children of Bathsheba. It is he, of course, who will succeed David on the throne of Israel. He's the only of David's children we are told attempts to emulate him in service to God, though we don't see his attempt work terribly well.

It's the third son I find kinda interesting. His name means "to give" or "to put." But in this child, it's not the name that startles me so much as the naming. This is David, who has been reproved by God through the prophet Nathan for committing adultery with Bathsheba. And he and Bathsheba name their son.... Nathan. How many people do you know who would name a kid after the guy who called him out for committing adultery? Now that is taking correction well.

"When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son[-in-law] of Eli, .... the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David...."
           -Luke 3:23,31

Mary was descended of Nathan. Through the blood of the child named "Peace," God brought His Child the legal rights to kingship that He might give us peace. But for the blood lineage of His Son, God chose to come through the line of the child named for the prophet, named for the one who brought the light of God's correction. Through these lines, the Messiah had both the blood of David and the legal legacy of David. He is the heir as the Prince of Peace and the One who corrects us.

And while these genealogical details may seem insignificant to how we live our day-to-day life, I think that's kinda cool. God doesn't let details slip. And God didn't play fast and loose with His own rules. He carefully chose the bloodlines in play so that the Messiah would be the King of Israel by blood as well as by Divine Fiat. God plays by the rules, and ties in all the loose ends. He leaves nothing unaddressed.

"Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? {Yet} not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows."
           -Luke 12:6-7