Jesse was the grandson of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:17, Ruth 4:22), a Judahite from the house of Perez (1 Chronicles 2:3–12; cf. Genesis 49:10). He lived in Bethlehem, previously the hometown of Naomi (Ruth 1:19), about sixteen kilometres from Ramah.1 From this point on in the biblical record, Jesse and Bethlehem would both be associated with the Messiah (Isaiah 11:1–3, Isaiah 11:10; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:1, Matthew 1:5–6, Matthew 1:16–17; Matthew 2:4–6).2
1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.”