Jesse
Jesse was a Bethlehemite of the tribe of Judah, grandson of Boaz and Ruth, and the father of eight sons - the youngest of whom was David. When Samuel came to Bethlehem to anoint a new king, Jesse presented his sons one by one until God chose David, the shepherd. Isaiah later prophesied that the Messiah would come as 'a rod out of the stem of Jesse,' making his name a title of hope for the coming King.
Biography
- Occupation
- Landowner, Shepherd
- Tribe
- Judah
- Father
- Obed
- Children
- David and seven other sons
- Era
- United Kingdom
Family
Did You Know?
Isaiah's prophecy that a shoot would grow 'out of the stem of Jesse' (Isaiah 11:1) turned Jesse's name into a messianic title, which is why medieval art depicts the family tree of Christ as a 'Tree of Jesse' springing from his side.
When Samuel came to anoint a king, Jesse paraded seven sons before the prophet and did not even bother to summon David from the fields - a vivid illustration of the chapter's lesson that 'man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart' (1 Samuel 16:7).
Jesse was the grandson of Boaz and Ruth, meaning David's royal line ran directly through a Moabite convert - a striking inclusion of a foreigner in Israel's greatest dynasty.
Key Chapters
Key Passages
Jesse's Sons Before Samuel
1 Samuel 16:1-13
God sends Samuel to Jesse's house, passing over the elder sons to anoint young David - 'the LORD looketh on the heart.'
1nd the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
The Rod out of Jesse
Isaiah 11:1-5
Isaiah foretells that the Messiah will spring from the stem of Jesse, endowed with the Spirit of the LORD.
1nd there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: