Why does the first verse of the New Testament introduce the Lord Jesus as the son of David and the son of Abraham?

“… the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Ma􀆩hew 1:1)

God made key promises to David and Abraham about Jesus in the Old Testament. David, who showed his faith as a youth against Goliath, became Israel’s king and built a palace in Jerusalem. He wanted to build a temple for God, but God
instead promised him:

“I will set up your seed a􀅌er you [have died] … I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father, and he shall be My son” (2 Samuel 7:12-14)

This was partly fulfilled in David’s son Solomon, who became king and built the temple. However, Solomon did not reign forever and was not God’s son, pointing to a greater future fulfilment in Jesus. When Mary was pregnant, an angel told her:

“the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David … and of His kingdom there will be no end … that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:32-35)

The complete fulfilment of God’s promises to David will be when Jesus returns. Jesus will reign from David’s throne in Jerusalem, his father is God and he is a descendant of David (through his mother Mary). We are also told that he will reign forever. This confirms that the special descendant promised to David would be Jesus. The wonderful message for the future is that Jesus will be King from Jerusalem, the same place where David reigned!