Jesse

Lore & Background

Jesse is introduced as the father of Obed, who was the son of Ruth and Boaz, and the grandfather of David (Ruth 4:17, Ruth 4:22). The Lord sent Samuel to Jesse the Bethlehemite to anoint one of his sons as king over Israel, having rejected Saul (1 Samuel 16:1). Samuel sanctified Jesse and his sons and called them to a sacrifice (1 Samuel 16:5). Jesse presented seven of his sons before Samuel, but the Lord chose none of them (1 Samuel 16:8-10). Only when Samuel asked if there were more children did Jesse mention his youngest son, David, who was keeping the sheep (1 Samuel 16:11).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray Jesse primarily as the father of David, a role that defines his identity in the narrative. He is a Bethlehemite, an old man with eight sons, living in the time of Saul (1 Samuel 17:12). Jesse is obedient to divine instruction through Samuel, presenting his sons for anointing (1 Samuel 16:5, 1 Samuel 16:8-10). He is a practical father, sending David with provisions to his brothers in battle (1 Samuel 17:17) and later sending gifts with David to Saul (1 Samuel 16:20). Jesse is also the subject of derogatory references by Saul and others, who call David 'the son of Jesse' to emphasize his humble origins or as a term of contempt (1 Samuel 20:27, 1 Samuel 22:7, 1 Samuel 25:10, 2 Samuel 20:1). The passages do not describe Jesse's own death or any further details of his life beyond these interactions.

Did You Know?

• Jesse had eight sons, but only three are named in the passages: Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah (1 Samuel 17:13).
• David is referred to as 'the son of Jesse' by Saul and others at least nine times in the provided passages (e.g., 1 Samuel 20:27, 1 Samuel 22:7, 2 Samuel 20:1).
• Jesse sent David to Saul with a donkey loaded with bread, wine, and a kid (1 Samuel 16:20).
• The Lord told Samuel that He had provided a king among Jesse's sons before Samuel met them (1 Samuel 16:1).