Discover the meaning and importance of Jesse in the Bible, his life story, and his significance in the teachings of Christianity. "There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit." (Isaiah 11:1)
Jesse in the Bible
In the Bible, Jesse is primarily recognized as the father of David, who became the King of Israel and wrote the Book of Psalms. He is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in both the books of Matthew 1:5-6 and Luke 3:31-32, which highlight his descent from Ruth and Boaz, placing him in the line of Judah. In 1 Samuel 16, Jesse is central in the narrative where Samuel anoints David as king, initially overlooking Jesse's other sons. Jesse's lineage and his role in David's rise underscore his significance in the biblical context.
His story intersects various biblical narratives, highlighting his genealogy, starting with Abraham and continuing through notable figures like Boaz and Ruth. Jesse appears prominently when the prophet Samuel, seeking a new king, initially bypasses Jesse’s seven older sons in favor of the youngest, David, anointed king. Jesse is also mentioned in prophecies regarding the Messiah, emphasizing his symbolic role in the genealogy of Jesus.
Unlike some of the main characters of the Bible, whose lives we know plenty about, we were never given much information on Jesse’s life to go on. However, the little we know about Jesse in the Bible is enough to convince us that the role he played in the ancestry of Jesus Christ is sufficient to guarantee him a place in Jewish history.
So, what do we know about Jesse the Israelite?
Jesse Name Meaning
The name "Jesse" in the Bible is of Hebrew origin, meaning "gift" or "wealth." It is derived from the Hebrew root 'īshai, which can signify possession or existence. Jesse is significant as the father of David, one of the most celebrated kings of Israel, and he is mentioned in important biblical lineages that trace the ancestry of Jesus Christ.
Scholars have further discussed what the name Jesse means, but one possibility is that “God exists,” originating from the Hebrew name Yishal. Given how God used Jesse’s family to reveal himself (more on that later), the name reminds us that the Lord is making known to everyone that He is alive and has existed from the beginning.
Where is Jesse in the Bible?
Jesse in the Bible was first introduced to us when Obed, his father, was born unto Ruth and Boaz (Ruth 4:17). However, Jesse’s real reason for being mentioned in the Bible appears when God commands the prophet Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:1-13 to fill his horn with oil and “go to the house of Jesse” and anoint Jesse’s son David to rule over the kingdom. Afterward, throughout the Old and New Testaments, the name is used intermittently. Sometimes, it’s even used in a phrase that refers to the Messiah Jesus Christ.
What Do We Learn About Jesse in the Bible?
We can learn several things from Jesse that we can apply to our daily lives.
1. Jesse followed God. We know that Jesse knows and follows God because he accepted Samuel’s invitation to sacrifice to God. The Bible also doesn’t indicate that Jesse objected when Samuel anointed his son for the throne of Israel. As Christians, we must learn to identify with God’s true servants. When we identify and honor those whom God calls in service to Him, we acknowledge to the Lord and the world that we belong to the same God they serve. Apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists are only a few of God’s servants.
2. Jesse trusted God to keep him and his son David safe. Jesse’s trust in God was undeniable. When Saul was chasing after David, Jesse’s son, Jesse trusted God to keep him and David safe. He could have become hysterical, feared for David’s life, and had a nervous breakdown. Instead, Jesse went to be with David (1 Samuel 22:1). Later, Jesse followed the Lord’s leading through David and went to live in Moab under the protection of the king of Moab.
Tremendous challenges might be facing us at times. These challenges might cause fear to surface in us. However, like Jesse, we must not let our fears rule us and especially bring us to the point of giving up. We must instead listen to the leading of the Lord in our hearts and follow Him whithersoever He leads us. The Lord will lead us on a path of safety where we can escape from the supposed onslaught of the enemy.
3. Treat every child with affection. When Jesse learned that Samuel was coming to anoint one of his sons, he made sure all his older sons were present but left David in the field to mind the sheep. This action indicates that Jesse had little or no regard for David. Yet, David ultimately won out, becoming the undisputed king of Israel. As parents, we must not prefer one child over another or treat each child indifferently. Instead, we should treat all our children with the same respect.
4. Jesse supported his sons at war. For various reasons, not all parents agree with children who join the army and go to war. When Jesse’s sons were in Saul’s army fighting, Jesse had David send food for them, asking for news about their welfare. We might disagree with our children’s choice to go to war, but we can still support their efforts to stand for justice, equality, and freedom, helping ensure the world becomes a safer place to live in.
5. Jesse did not complain when Samuel anointed his youngest son. Jesse indeed had high hopes for all of his sons and wanted to see them become outstanding citizens of Israel. He was an ordinary man and must have felt some pride when he got the news that Samuel was inviting him to the sacrifice. He did not expect such a recognized, honorable and respected man like the Prophet Samuel to bother with him, yet he and his son David were why Samuel came to visit the district.
We might not know when God will send one of His esteemed servants to visit us. However, as we continue to humble ourselves before Him, He can surprise us with the unthinkable. He can make a highly esteemed and influential person of high-ranking status come into our presence and bless us with their company.
6. Jesse freely gave his son David to Saul to serve him. An evil spirit was troubling King Saul, and he wanted relief. Therefore, one of Saul’s servants suggested having Jesse’s son David come to him and play anointed music to drive the demon away. When Saul called for David to be his servant, Jesse could have refused to send him or tried to hold on to him for a while. Instead, Jesse let him go, trusting God to care for his son.
God worked through Saul, recruiting David as his servant. It allowed David to learn the good and bad ways of ruling as a king. Watching Saul lead people and the results (especially as Saul became more jealous and violent) would have shown David what came from being an obedient king and from being a disobedient king.
At times, God might cause (or at least allow) circumstances that seem to put our children in certain places and positions we might not seem to understand or want them to be in. When this happens, we must not complain and blame God for placing them in such positions. Instead, we should look at such circumstances as providence and not become worried that our children will lose out in any way. With God guiding our children and them acting in obedience to Him, they cannot go wrong.
What is the Root of Jesse in the Bible?
The word root means descendant. When the Bible refers to “the root of Jesse,” it is speaking of none other than Jesus Christ, who comes from the family tree of Jesse. Jesus, the Savior of the world sent from God to redeem humanity back to the Father, was born from the lineage of Jesse, King David’s father. There will always be a King to sit on the throne of David throughout the ages.
Before the birth of Christ, Isaiah the prophet prophesied that a shoot would proceed from the stump of Jesse’s tree line.
“A shoot shall come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit” (Isaiah 11:1 NIV).
“In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and His resting place will be glorious” (Isaiah 11:10 NIV).
Jesse was not a famous prophet or held any other important position. Still, the Bible makes it clear that he played an important role in the world and the birth of Jesus Christ.
Photo Credit: Getty Images/BibleArtLibrary
Lancelot Tucker is a book author and freelance writer who writes on a vast amount of topics. In addition, he serves as an associate pastor in his hometown, Spanish Town. Lancelot loves to do research and write, and is an avid reader of other authors' works. When not writing or reading, he spends his time reaching out to the less fortunate residing in his community.
This article is part of our People of Christianity catalog that features the stories, meaning, and significance of well-known people from the Bible and history. Here are some of the most popular articles for knowing important figures in Christianity:
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