Jesse: Father of David
Jump to: Nave'sGreekHebrewLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Jesse, a significant figure in the Old Testament, is best known as the father of David, the second king of Israel and a man after God's own heart. Jesse's lineage and role in biblical history are pivotal, as he is part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, fulfilling the Messianic prophecies concerning the lineage of the Savior.

Genealogy and Family Background

Jesse was a Bethlehemite, residing in the town of Bethlehem in the territory of Judah. He was the son of Obed and the grandson of Boaz and Ruth, a Moabite woman who converted to the faith of Israel. This lineage is significant, as it highlights the inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant community of Israel, foreshadowing the universal scope of the Gospel. The genealogy of Jesse is recorded in the Book of Ruth and reiterated in the genealogies of Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

Role in the Anointing of David

Jesse's most notable biblical narrative occurs in 1 Samuel 16, where the prophet Samuel is sent by God to anoint one of Jesse's sons as the next king of Israel. At this time, Saul was the reigning king, but God had rejected him due to his disobedience. Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel, but God did not choose any of them. It was only when David, the youngest, who was tending sheep, was brought before Samuel that God confirmed His choice. "Then the LORD said, 'Rise and anoint him, for he is the one'" (1 Samuel 16:12). This anointing marked the beginning of David's journey to kingship and established the Davidic line, which holds theological significance in the anticipation of the Messiah.

Jesse's Descendants and Legacy

Jesse had eight sons, with David being the youngest. His other sons included Eliab, Abinadab, Shammah, and others who are mentioned in the biblical narrative. Jesse's family was not of significant wealth or status, yet God chose this humble family to bring forth Israel's greatest king and, ultimately, the Messiah. The prophet Isaiah references Jesse in a Messianic prophecy: "Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit" (Isaiah 11:1). This prophecy points to the coming of Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the "Root of Jesse."

Jesse in the New Testament

In the New Testament, Jesse is mentioned in the genealogies of Jesus Christ, underscoring the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Matthew 1:5-6 and Luke 3:32 both include Jesse in the lineage of Jesus, affirming the continuity of God's redemptive plan through the line of David.

Cultural and Theological Significance

Jesse's role as the father of David places him in a position of great importance within the biblical narrative. His life and family illustrate God's sovereign choice and the unfolding of His divine plan through seemingly ordinary individuals. Jesse's legacy is not only in his son David but also in the greater Davidic line that leads to Jesus Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises to Israel and the world.
Nave's Topical Index
Ruth 4:17
And the women her neighbors gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Samuel 17:12
Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.
Nave's Topical Index

Greek
2421. Iessai -- Jesse, the father of King David
... Jesse, the father of King David. Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable
Transliteration: Iessai Phonetic Spelling: (es-es-sah'-ee) Short Definition: Jesse ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2421.htm - 6k
Strong's Hebrew
3448. Yishay -- father of David
... Jesse. By Aramaic Iyshay {ee-shah'-ee}; from the same as yesh; extant; Jishai, David's
father -- Jesse. see HEBREW yesh. 3447, 3448. Yishay. 3449 . ...
/hebrew/3448.htm - 6k
Library

The Power of a Pebble.
... fight him. David's elder brothers were in camp, and Jesse, their father,
called David from the flocks to take food to them. He found ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xx the power of.htm

The Story of David, the Shepherd Boy
... Then Saul sent a message to Jesse, David's father. ... One day, old Jesse, the father
of David, sent David from Bethlehem to visit his three brothers in the army. ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of david the.htm

Jonathan's Love for David
... For as long as the son of Jesse lives, neither you nor your rule will be safe. ... So
Jonathan knew that his father had made up his mind to put David to death. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/jonathans love for david.htm

How, Upon Saul's Transgression of the Prophet's Commands, Samuel ...
... However, he sent to Jesse, the father of the child, and desired him to permit David
to stay with him, for that he was delighted with his sight and company ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 how upon sauls.htm

Of Jesus, God and Man; and the Testimonies of the Prophets ...
... might, the spirit of knowledge and of piety; and He shall be filled [634] with the
spirit of fear of the Lord." Now Jesse was the father of David, from whose ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xiii of jesus god and.htm

David the Shepherd Youth.
... the men of the tribe of Judah; but David stayed for ... at Bethlehem, to take care of
his old father and the ... After a time Jesse sent David with asses laden with ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/david the shepherd youth.htm

The Story of David
... father's flocks. That father, whose name was Jesse, was one of the chief
men of the town, and David was the youngest of all his sons. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/david the shepherd boy/the story of david.htm

Moreover Isaiah Himself yet Further Says. ...
... For Jesse was the descendant of Abraham, and the father of David; (and
David's) descendant the virgin was who conceived Christ. ...
/.../chapter 59 moreover isaiah himself.htm

How David, Upon Saul's Laying Snares for Him, did yet Escape the ...
... he inquired of his son Jonathan why the son of Jesse did not ... him." And then it was
that Jonathan understood his father's hatred to David, and plainly ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how david upon.htm

Friendship; Or, David and Jonathan
... For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not ... smite him;
whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.'. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon v friendship or david.htm

Resources
What is the meaning of root of Jesse in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Jesse in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Does the Bible mention David's mother? | GotQuestions.org

Jesse: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Jesse

Jesse: Ancestor of Jesus

Jesse: Descendants of

Jesse: Father of David

Jesse: Lives With David in Moab

Jesse: Samuel Visits, Under Divine Command, to Select a Successor to Saul from his Sons

Jesse: Saul Asks, to Send David to Become a Member of his Court

Jesse: Sons in Saul's Army

Related Terms

Jesse's (4 Occurrences)

Obed (13 Occurrences)

Abi (2 Occurrences)

Abinadab (12 Occurrences)

Nahash (9 Occurrences)

Bethlehemite (4 Occurrences)

Beth-lehemite (4 Occurrences)

Shammah (8 Occurrences)

Eliab (20 Occurrences)

Begat (112 Occurrences)

Eli'ab (19 Occurrences)

Abin'adab (10 Occurrences)

Abigal (1 Occurrence)

Salmon (7 Occurrences)

Bo'az (24 Occurrences)

Begot (119 Occurrences)

Abigail (18 Occurrences)

Root (54 Occurrences)

Boaz (25 Occurrences)

Saul's (79 Occurrences)

Bethlehem (49 Occurrences)

Fetch (45 Occurrences)

Causeth (209 Occurrences)

Youngest (26 Occurrences)

Keepeth (60 Occurrences)

Loaded (21 Occurrences)

Tending (11 Occurrences)

Delighteth (23 Occurrences)

Booz (2 Occurrences)

Conspired (32 Occurrences)

Arrives (7 Occurrences)

Nabal (18 Occurrences)

Feeding (37 Occurrences)

Seats (40 Occurrences)

Oldest (58 Occurrences)

David's (142 Occurrences)

Beth-lehem (49 Occurrences)

Branch (60 Occurrences)

Cakes (65 Occurrences)

Answereth (144 Occurrences)

Shouted (65 Occurrences)

Chosen (197 Occurrences)

Rehoboam (42 Occurrences)

Inquired (74 Occurrences)

Hither (84 Occurrences)

Remaining (87 Occurrences)

Ruth (19 Occurrences)

Remains (118 Occurrences)

Captains (159 Occurrences)

Finished (157 Occurrences)

David (1052 Occurrences)

Jonathan (109 Occurrences)

Yesterday (13 Occurrences)

Valor (45 Occurrences)

Vine-gardens (41 Occurrences)

Virtuous (5 Occurrences)

Valour (66 Occurrences)

Now-a-days (1 Occurrence)

Neighbouring (11 Occurrences)

Neighbours (34 Occurrences)

Nahshon (11 Occurrences)

Nowadays (1 Occurrence)

Nob (6 Occurrences)

Naasson (2 Occurrences)

Neighborhood (7 Occurrences)

Neighbors (40 Occurrences)

Nethanel (14 Occurrences)

Uriah's (2 Occurrences)

Uri'ah (32 Occurrences)

Urias (1 Occurrence)

Unsafe (2 Occurrences)

Uriah (33 Occurrences)

Ozem (2 Occurrences)

Jesraelite (1 Occurrence)

Jug (11 Occurrences)

Jerimoth (10 Occurrences)

Jest (1 Occurrence)

Jer'imoth (6 Occurrences)

Lines (42 Occurrences)

Jesse: Descendants of
Top of Page
Top of Page