Ruth Chapter 1
“During the time of the judges, there was a famine in the land.” (Ruth 1:1)1 Thus from the
first verse we are told what timeframe the story occurs and what situation the Israelites were
facing. The role of the judges was to be military leaders, rulers and administrators. It was marked
by lawlessness and chaos during within the nation of Israel.2
The Journey to Moab (1:1-2)
The story of Ruth begins during a time of famine in Bethlehem of Judah. With little rain
and food sources drying up, Elimelech leaves for Moab with his wife Naomi and their two sons,
Mahlon and Chilion, in search of a better life, though they most likely planned to return to
Bethlehem after the famine passed.3
The Death of Naomi’s Husband and Sons (1:3-5)
Scripture does not tell us how long the family was in Moab before Elimelech dies. Both
of Naomi’s sons took Moabite women for wives, Mahlon marrying Ruth and Chilion Orpah. The
Hebrew is not clear whether the sons lived in Mab ten years or were married ten years before
1 Unless otherwise noted, all scripture referenced is from the Holman Christian Standard Bible
(Nashville, Tn: Thomas Nelson, 2013)
2 Kenneth L. Barker and John R. Kohlenberger III, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Grand
Rapids, MI: 1994),368
3 Daniel I. Block, An Exegetical and Theological Commentary of Judges and Ruth (Nashville,
Tn: B&H Publishing, 1999) 234
both died.4 What is clear is that Naomi was “left without” her husbands and her sons. Being in
such a state in a foreign land compounded Naomi’s problems, so it would have been natural she
thought about returning home.
The Return to Bethlehem (1:6-22)
With no living male and no way to provide for herself, Naomi considered returning home
to Bethlehem, a decision settled upon hearing that the Lord had “paid attention to his people by
providing them food” (1:6). Orpah and Ruth start the journey with Naomi, but she shortly tries
to release them form any obligation to her. She tells them to return to their mother’s home,
referencing the women’s part of the quarters where they would be comforted and helped to
prepare for another marriage.5 Naomi’s parting blessing is that that the Lord would return the
kindness the daughters-in-law had shown her, and that they would find “rest” in another
marriage.
Both women initially refuse, pledging themselves to Naomi and forsaking their family,
friends and homeland. This level of devotion went beyond obligation, and was an early
4 Robert L. Hubbard, New International Commentary-Ruth (Chicago, Ill: William Eerdmans
Publishing, 1999) 77
5 Imtraud Fischer, “ The Book of Ruth as Exegetical Literature” Journal of European Judaism
vol 40 (2007) 29
testimony of the quality of Naomi’s character.6 Naomi pleads with them to return to Moab,
telling them their prospects for another marriage and the chance of having a home were few. Her
statement in verse 11 probably refers to the law of levirate marriage. This law provided for the
marriage of a childless widow to a brother-in-law but made no provision for daughters-in-law,
especially foreigners (Deuteronomy 25:5-10).7 Orpah decides to turn back but Ruth refuses,
pledging to stay with Naomi regardless. Ruth’s response to Naomi in verses 16-17 has become a
classic expression of devotion and undying loyalty, renouncing her people and even her gods.
Naomi and Ruth soon arrive in Bethlehem.
Ruth Chapter 2
In the fields of Boaz (2:1-3)
This chapter opens by giving us an indication of the plight of the poor in ancient
Palestine. The relationship between Boaz and Naomi is immediately established, and we are told
Boaz is a “prominent man of noble character” (2:1). Soon after arriving, Ruth requests that
Naomi allow her to glean (pick up) the left-over grain. While God’s law expressly allowed the
poor the right to glean during harvest, (Lev 19:9-10) many times landowners were
uncooperative. Ruth hoped to locate a field where she would “find favor”, being aware of the
law, the attitude of landowners, and especially the fact she was both poor and a foreigner.8
Unaware of the relationship to Naomi, Ruth soon finds herself gleaning in the fields of Boaz.
6 J. Vernon McGee, The History of Israel-Ruth (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishing,
1997) 44
7 Ibid, Fischer, 30
Here we see an early indication of the hand of God working in the life of Naomi and of the plans
he has for Ruth.
The First Meeting (2:4-7)
Boaz soon appears to check on his workers and notices Ruth. His initial question,
“Whose young woman is this?” suggests Boaz did not recognize Ruth but was attracted to her. It
also indicates he was seeking information about her ancestry and clan.9 The foreman tells him
she is the Moabitess who returned with Naomi, and that she was a hard worker. This seems to
pique Boaz’s interest in Ruth, and he tells her to remain in his fields until harvest is over and to
drink from the water jars the men do. This was a privilege not usually extended to gleaners10
Ruth asks Boaz why he has found such favor with her. Although Boaz did not recognize
Ruth at first, he had heard about her. He informed her he knew of her kindness toward Naomi in
that she was willing to leave her own land and people to follow Naomi to Bethlehem. Boaz
blesses Ruth for her sacrificial loyalty to Naomi and for her acceptance of the God of Israel as
the one true God. Forsaking the gods the Moabites worshipped was a turning point for
Ruth.11Boaz quotes the Psalmist in describing God’s protection of Ruth as being under his wings
8 [Dan99] 236
9 [Rob99] 81
10 [JVe97] 32
11 (Barker 1994) 370
(Psalm 36:7). Ruth addresses Boaz as my lord, a common expression of the day for showing one
respect.12
Boaz’s Provision for Ruth (2:8-16)
Showing an increased interest in her, Boaz invites Ruth to join him and the reapers for
lunch. During lunch he does something uncommon that hints toward his level of interest in Ruth.
As she ate among the reapers, Boaz himself serves her as he offers her roasted grain. (2:14)
While the text suggests this was an act of gentle kindness for Boaz, it could have been seen by
the reapers as one who was superior humbling themselves to an inferior person. Boaz’s interest
in Ruth seemed to supersede the protocol of the day.13 Boaz later instructs his reapers to let her
glean among the sheaves and to drop some for her to pick up. His generosity beyond what the
law required was yet another indication of his special interest in Ruth.
Ruth and Naomi’s Conversation about Boaz (2:17-23)
At the end of the day, Ruth had gleaned an ephah of grain, the equivalent of about two-
thirds of a bushel. This was an amount two to three times what was normally gleaned. It showed
how much Boaz’s instructions to his reapers aided Ruth as well as how hard Ruth was willing to
work.14. when she returned home she shared what she had gleaned and some of her noon meal
with Naomi. Naomi knew the amount of grain was more than one person should have been able
12 [Irm07] 31
13 [Rob99] 82
14 [JVe97] 35
to glean, so she asks Ruth where she worked and blessed her benefactor, not yet knowing it was
Boaz.
When Naomi hears the name of their generous benefactor, she blesses him a second time
but acknowledges that it was the Lord who had not stopped showing his “kindness” toward the
living and the dead.15 Naomi seems here to recognize that God was behind the events that were
unfolding in their lives. She tells Ruth Boaz is a close relative, which qualifies him as a kinsman-
redeemer. The responsibilities of a kinsman-redeemer included avenging the death of a murdered
relative, marrying a childless widow, buying back family land, and most importantly, it allowed
him to preserve the name of the dead by marrying their widow, in this case Ruth.16 Naomi
interrupts Ruth with this information, and Ruth continues with her account of Boaz. She tells
Naomi Boaz instructs her to remain close to his servants until the harvest was over. Naomi
understands that Boaz is protecting Ruth by letting her glean with his maids.
The two harvests lasted from late April until early June (Deu. 16:9). Ruth continued to
glean under the protection of Boaz and live with her mother-in-law Naomi, sharing her take each
evening until the end of harvest time.
15 [Dan99] 237
16 Barker, 1994 371
Bibliography
Block, Daniel I. An Exegetical and Theological Commentary of Judges and Ruth. Nashville, Tn:
B&H Publishing, 1999.
Fischer, Irmtraud. "The Book of Ruth as Exegetical Literature." Journal of European Judaism
vol 40, 2007: 28-34.
Hubbard, Robert L. New International Commentary Series- Ruth. Chicago, Ill.: William
Eerdmans Publishing, 1999.
III, Kenneth L. Barker & John R. Kohlenberger. The Expositor's Bible Commentary- Old
Testament. Grand Rapids, Mi.: Zondervan Publishing, 1994.
McGee, J. Vernon. The History of Israel-Ruth. Nashville, Tn.: Thomas Nelson Publishing, 1997.
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
