Jesse

Jesse, the father of David, is a significant figure in the lineage of Jesus Christ, as outlined in the genealogies of the New Testament (Matthew 1:5-6; Luke 3:31-32). He was a Bethlehemite, residing in the town of Bethlehem in the territory of Judah. Jesse was the son of Obed and the grandson of Boaz and Ruth, a Moabite woman who converted to the faith of Israel (Ruth 4:17-22).

Jesse is most prominently mentioned in the context of the anointing of David as king. The prophet Samuel was sent by God to Jesse's house to anoint one of his sons as the future king of Israel, following God's rejection of Saul (1 Samuel 16:1). Jesse had eight sons, and initially, he presented seven of them to Samuel. However, God did not choose any of these, prompting Samuel to inquire if there were any more sons. Jesse then mentioned his youngest son, David, who was tending the sheep. Upon David's arrival, the Lord confirmed to Samuel that David was His chosen one, and Samuel anointed him in the presence of his brothers (1 Samuel 16:10-13).

Jesse's role as the father of David places him in a pivotal position within the biblical narrative, as David would become one of Israel's greatest kings and a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). Jesse's lineage is also significant in the prophetic literature, where the "stump of Jesse" is a metaphor for the coming Messiah (Isaiah 11:1).

David's Mother

The Bible does not provide the name of David's mother, and she is mentioned only briefly in the Scriptures. In 1 Samuel 22:3-4, David seeks refuge for his parents with the king of Moab, indicating that his mother was alive during his early years of fleeing from Saul. This passage suggests that David had a concern for the safety and well-being of his parents during turbulent times.

Jewish tradition, as recorded in the Talmud and other rabbinic writings, identifies David's mother as Nitzevet, the daughter of Adael. However, this identification is not found in the biblical text itself and remains part of extra-biblical tradition.

David's mother, though unnamed in the Scriptures, played a role in his upbringing and spiritual formation. In Psalm 86:16 and Psalm 116:16, David refers to himself as the "son of Your maidservant," which some scholars interpret as a reference to his mother, indicating her piety and devotion to God.

The limited information about David's mother in the biblical narrative highlights the patriarchal context of the time, where genealogies and family lines were often traced through the male lineage. Nonetheless, her influence on David's life and faith is acknowledged through his expressions of gratitude and devotion to God, which may have been nurtured by her example and teaching.