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Jesse had eight sons: Eliab, Abinadab, Shammah, Nethanel, Raddai, Ozem and David, as well as one who probably died early and is not mentioned by name. In the story recounted in [[1 Samuel 16]] the prophet Samuel was commanded by God to go to Jesse to meet his sons and anoint the man who was to become the nextg king of Israel. His eldest son Eliab was tall and had fair features, but did not have the proper heart to be king of Israel ([[1 Samuel 16:7]]):

Each son was brought out in turn. Finally, the youngest one, David, was brought out and anointed. He would become the second king of [[Ancient Israel|Israel]] following the death of [[King Saul]]. He is described in [[1 Samuel 16:12]] as "ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features" and later as "a brave man and a warrior" who "speaks well and is a fine-looking man."

The name Jesse is referenced in the [[Old Testament]] when predicting the coming of [[Jesus]], the [[Messiah]]. [[Isaiah 11]]:1-3 talks of a shoot and branch growing from the stump of Jesse - this is a picture of a king who is a descendent of Jesse

From the eleventh century onwards this Tree of Jesse has been portrayed in Christian art including in illuminations, manuscripts, wall paintings, wood carvings and on stone. In the representation of the Tree, it is usual for Jesse to be portrayed recumbent with a tree rising from his body, and the ancestors of [[Jesus]] portrayed in its branches with Christ at the summit. The earliest illustrated manuscripts did not always depict Jesse or Christ.