This part of Jesus's family tree includes both righteous kings like Jotham and Hezekiah and a notoriously wicked king, Ahaz. Commentators see this as a powerful illustration of God's sovereignty. His plan to bring the Messiah into the world was not dependent on the moral character of each individual in the line. As one scholar puts it, "though grace does not run in the blood, God’s providence cannot be deceived or outmaneuvered."