Abraham to David

2Abraham was the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

3Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,

Perez the father of Hezron,

Hezron the father of Ram,

4Ram the father of Amminadab,

Amminadab the father of Nahshon,

Nahshon the father of Salmon,

5Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,

Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,

Obed the father of Jesse,

6and Jesse the father of King David. (Matthew 1:2-6) 

Matthew traces Jesus' lineage through Judah- the line of the king (not Levi/Aaron- the priestly line).  Of course David was of Judah's line too.
Interestingly, three women are mentioned here: Tamar who tricked Judah into have a child; Rahab the harlot who helped the people of God and became a believer; and Ruth the Moabitess.  We see God's grace and largess in mentioning these who were brought into the fold.  It was as if Matthew was saying that Jesus is a Jew but there are heroines who were not of pure Jewish blood.
The genealogy of Jesus was broken into three parts of 14 each-  Abraham to David, David to the exile, and the exile to Jesus.  This first section is like the founding fathers.  They were revered and respected despite any sins or shortcomings.  The Messiah was a part of God's plan all the way back to Abraham (Gen. 12:1,2).  

Prayer: Lord, thank you that your love is open to all- men and women, saints and sinners, great and small.  May my life honor you.