Who exactly was Jesse in the Bible and what do we know about him? Jesse was the father of King David. See Ruth 4:17. He was the grandson of Ruth and Boaz. You remember Ruth whose husband and son died. She told her mother-in-law Naomi that she would continue to follow her. Naomi’s people would be her people and Naomi’s God would be her God (Ruth 1:16). We know from further study in the Bible that Jesse is a part of the lineage of Jesus.

Jesse takes center stage in the Bible as God prepares to anoint a new king of Israel to replace Saul. We look to 1 Samuel 16 for the details. God told Samuel that He was sending him to the house of Jesse, the Bethlehemite. There among the sons of Jesse, he would find the new king of Israel. God had instructed Samuel to fill his horn with oil.

Samuel had questions as to how he would anoint a new king without facing the wrath of Saul. God told him to take a heifer to sacrifice to the Lord. God then instructed him to invite Jesse to the sacrifice. God told Samuel that He would show him what to do and who to anoint as the next king.

When Samuel went to Bethlehem, people were concerned because he was a prophet. Plus, he came to town without warning. Samuel assured them that he came in peace and planned to make a sacrifice (1 Samuel 16:5). As God had instructed, Samuel invited Jesse and his sons to the sacrifice. Samuel had no idea of who God might anoint. He figured it might be the oldest son Eliab. “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance,but the LORD looketh on the heart.”