Ruth
Elimelech, a man from Bethlehem, moved to Moab with his wife Naomi and their two sons due to a famine, but after his death, their sons married Moabite women and also died, leaving Naomi alone. Naomi returned to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law Ruth, who chose to stay with her, and they were greeted by the local women. Ruth gathered grain in a field owned by Boaz, a wealthy relative of her late husband's family, who showed her favor and kindness. Naomi instructed Ruth to seek Boaz's protection as a near relative, and Ruth went to the threshing floor, where Boaz promised to take care of her, but noted that there was another relative who was closer. Boaz met with the kinsman, who declined to marry Ruth, allowing Boaz to marry her and take possession of a field that belonged to her late husband's family. The Lord granted Ruth a son named Obed, who would become the grandfather of King David.
Chapter 1
Elimelech, a man from Bethlehem, moved to Moab with his wife Naomi and their two sons due to a famine. After Elimelech's death, their sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth, but both sons also died, leaving Naomi alone. Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem and told her daughters-in-law to return to their families, but Ruth chose to stay with Naomi, pledging her loyalty and devotion. The two women returned to Bethlehem, where they were greeted by the local women, and Naomi, now bitter and humbled, asked to be called Mara instead of Naomi.
Chapter 2
Ruth, a Moabite, goes to a field to gather leftover grain, and it happens to be owned by Boaz, a wealthy relative of her late husband's family. Boaz notices Ruth and learns of her kindness to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and decides to show her favor by allowing her to gather grain in his field and protecting her from harassment. Ruth is grateful for Boaz's kindness and returns to Naomi with a large amount of grain, and Naomi recognizes Boaz as a near relative who can provide for them.
Chapter 3
Naomi instructed Ruth to go to the threshing floor where Boaz would be, and to lay down at his feet after he had gone to sleep, in order to seek his protection as a near relative. Ruth followed Naomi's instructions and went to the threshing floor, where she lay down at Boaz's feet after he had fallen asleep. When Boaz awoke in the middle of the night, he found Ruth and she asked him to spread his covering over her as a near relative. Boaz praised Ruth for her virtue and promised to take care of her, but noted that there was another relative who was closer, and told her to wait until morning to see what would happen.
Chapter 4
Boaz met with the kinsman at the gate and informed him of Naomi's intention to sell a field that belonged to her late husband Elimelech. The kinsman initially agreed to buy the field but then declined when Boaz explained that he would also have to marry Ruth, the widow of Elimelech's son Mahlon. Boaz then took possession of the field and married Ruth, and the Lord granted her a son named Obed. The women of the community celebrated the birth of Obed, who would become the grandfather of King David.
Share this book