Jesse

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The name of King David's father.

Jesse the Bethlehemite

He was in the line of Christ through Joseph. (Matthew 1:5) His wife, David's mother, is Nitzevet, the daughter of Adael, according to Jewish tradition. (first page Google results) She is mentioned in the Psalms as being a servant of the LORD: "Turn to me and be gracious to me; / give your strength to your servant, / and save the son of your maidservant" (Psalm 86:16)

All 8 of his sons were considered for kingship by Samuel. David, the youngest who was tending sheep, was anointed. (1 Samuel 16:1-13) Why did he neglect to include David at first? Was there some legitimate reason not to, or did they have a strained relationship?

King Saul sent for David due to his renown for valor and the lyre. Then Saul loved him so much, he asked Jesse for David to remain with him. (1 Samuel 16:14-23)

When he was advanced in years, his oldest sons, Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah followed Saul in battle against the Philistines, camping in the Valley of Elah against the camps between Socoh and Azekah. David went back and forth to feed Jesse's sheep at Bethlehem. After 40 days, Jesse sent David with an ephah of parched grain and ten loaves for the boys and 10 cheeses for their commander to hear how they are doing. (1 Samuel 17:12-18)

When David was fleeing Saul and hid in the cave of Adullam, David's brothers and all his father's house joined him as soon as they heard about it. When 400 men gathered under David, he took Jesse and his wife to Mizpeh of Moab and left them with their king until the prophet Gad told David to return to Judah. (1 Samuel 22)