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I understand that Jesus must be a descendant of David -in fact from the "seed of his lions".  A few scripture quoates are: Ps 132;11-12; Jer 33:17 etc.

However, the Genealogies given for Jesus by the Gospel writers are two: Matthew 1 ;Luke 3.  One has Jesus as the adopted son of Joseph; the other a descnedant of Mary through Nathan.  

Since there must always be a descnednat of David on the Throne, then Nathan's line is ruled out.  But how can a King in a primeogeniture Throne be adopted into such a position, when I understand that even a adoptee can't be adopted into a Tribe, let alone the Throne of Israel?

Any help appreciated.

Hello, pcusack1,

I'm new (as of September '09) to the Jews For Jesus forums, and I've just read your question of July 25.  Seems that no one responded, so I'll take a stab at it.

The confusion might exist in your assumption that the next king always had to be the firstborn son ("primogenitor") of the current monarch.  This was customary, but by no means always true.

Solomon himself was not anywhere near the firstborn of King David.  He wasn't even David's third-born (if I may use that term) after Absolom and Adonijah.  He (Solomon) had been given the throne by God and also by his father David, even though he didn't qualify on "firstborn" terms.

There was no need for Mary's husband Joseph to adopt Jesus, as Mary  was a direct descendant of David through David's son Nathan, in her own right;  and this was enough to qualify her Son Jesus for the throne "of His father David".  

(Similar "choices" were made by the Hebrew patriarchs, as you will recall:
Abraham's firstborn, Ishmael, was passed over in favor of Isaac
Jacob received the promises instead of his older twin Esau, and then
Jacob gave to Joseph (his 11th son) the rights of Reuben the firstborn  Jacob also blessed Joseph's younger son Ephraim, rather than Manasseh)

Blessings!