who was king david's mother

King David's mother is not named in the Bible.

Biblical Account

The Bible identifies David's father as Jesse from Bethlehem in Judah, noting David as the youngest of eight sons (1 Samuel 17:12–14). It also mentions sisters Zeruiah and Abigail (1 Chronicles 2:16), with some scholars suggesting their father might have been Nahash rather than Jesse (2 Samuel 17:25). No explicit maternal name or detailed story appears in Scripture, leaving her role largely unrecorded despite David's prominence.

Traditional Name

Jewish rabbinic traditions name her Nitzevet bat Adael (or variations like Nitzevet daughter of Adael). These extra-biblical sources portray her as a devoted figure from Bethlehem, possibly with Canaanite ties, who instilled faith and resilience in David. Legends describe her protecting him from Saul and enduring family hardships, though these lack biblical confirmation.

Other Speculations

• Some traditions link her to Ruth due to shared themes of loyalty and lineage parallels in Jesse's family.

• A few sources confuse her with Bathsheba (David's wife, not mother) or propose Nahash connections via sisters.

• Historians note her anonymity reflects ancient texts' patriarchal focus, yet midrashic stories elevate her as a symbol of quiet strength.

Viewpoint| Source Basis| Key Claim
---|---|---
Biblical Silence| Scripture (1 Sam 17, 1 Chron 2)| Unnamed; focus on Jesse and siblings 15
Nitzevet Tradition| Rabbinic/Jewish legend| Devout wife of Jesse; protected David 137
Ruth Hypothesis| Mythology/parallels| Loyal ancestor fitting family story 3
Nahash Link| Textual analysis (2 Sam 17)| Possible via sisters' parentage 1

TL;DR: Bible omits her name (likely wife of Jesse); traditions call her Nitzevet, emphasizing her unseen influence on Israel's greatest king.

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