Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Firm, or a gift, a son of Obed, the son of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:17, 22; Matt. 1:5, 6; Luke 3:32). He was the father of eight sons, the youngest of whom was David (1 Sam. 17:12). The phrase “stem of Jesse” is used for the family of David (Isa. 11:1), and “root of Jesse” for the Messiah (Isa. 11:10; Rev. 5:5). Jesse was a man apparently of wealth and position at Bethlehem (1 Sam. 17:17, 18, 20; Ps. 78:71). The last reference to him is of David’s procuring for him an asylum with the king of Moab (1 Sam. 22:3).
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(wealthy), the father of David, was the son of Obed, who again was the fruit of the union of Boaz and the Moabitess Ruth. His great-grandmother was Rahab the Canaanite, of Jericho. ” ch. (1 Samuel 17:12) He is an “old man” when we first meet with him, (1 Samuel 17:12) with eight sons, ch. (1 Samuel 16:10; 17:12) residing at Bethlehem. ch (1 Samuel 16:4,5) Jesse’s wealth seems to have consisted of a flock of sheep and goats, which were under the care of David. ch.
(1 Samuel 16:11; 17:34,35) After David’s rupture with Saul he took his father and his mother into the country of Moab and deposited them with the king, and there they disappear from our view in the records of Scripture. ) Who the wife of Jesse was we are not told.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
JES'SE (strong), the father of David, and the grandson of Ruth. His genealogy is twice given in the 0. T.. T. Matt 1:3, 1 Chr 6:5; Luke 3:32-34. " 1 Sam 17:12. This latter verse calls him "an old man" at the time of David's fight with Goliath. He was the affectionate father of eight sons, and a man of wealth and position. 1 Sam 17:17-18. It is remarkable that David is called "the son of Jesse" after his own fame was established. 1 Chr 29:26; Ps 72:20. Jesse was through David the ancestor of the Judaic kings, and thus of Christ. The prophets announced this in so many words. Isa 11:1, Neh 11:10.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
gift; oblation; one who is