Why Jesse of Bethlehem Was Called the House of Bread

Midrash Shmuel 19:2

"And I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite" (I Samuel 16:1) — his bakery (artokopeion), for he came from Bethlehem of Judah. Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachman in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish (said) that he was a master of Torah, of whom it is written, "Come, eat of my bread" (Proverbs 9:5).

Themes

Biblical References