Bible Commentaries

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ruth 1

Clinging to a Counterfeit Cross
Introduction

1  Elimelech, driven by famine into Moab, dies there.
4  Mahlon and Chilion, having married wives of Moab, die also.
6  Naomi, returning homeward,
8  dissuades her two daughters-in-law from going with her.
14  Orpah leaves her, but Ruth with great constancy accompanies her.
19  They two come to Beth-lehem, where they are gladly received.
Verse 1

Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
the judges
Judges 2:16, 12:8
ruled
Heb. judged. a famine.
Genesis 12:10, 26:1, 43:1, Leviticus 26:19, Deuteronomy 28:23,24,38, 2 Samuel 21:1, 1 Kings 17:1-12, 18:2, 2 Kings 8:1,2, Psalms 105:16, 107:34, Jeremiah 14:1, Ezekiel 14:13,21, Joel 1:10,11,16-20, Amos 4:6
Beth-lehem-judah
Judges 17:8, 19:1,2
Verse 2

And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
Elimelech
The Rabbins say, that Elimelech was the son of Salmon, who married Rahab; and that Naomi was his niece.
Naomi
Mahlon
It is imagined, and not without probability, that Mahlon and Chilion are the same with Joash and Saraph, mentioned in 1 Ch 4:22.
Ephrathites
Genesis 35:19, 1 Samuel 1:1, 17:21, Micah 5:2
continued
Heb. were.
Verse 3

And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
and she was
2 Kings 4:1, Psalms 34:19, Hebrews 12:6,10,11
Verse 4

And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
they took
The Targum says, "they transgressed the decree of the word of the Lord, and took to them strange women."
wives
Deuteronomy 7:3, 23:3, 1 Kings 11:1,2
Ruth
Matthew 1:5
Verse 5

And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
A. M. 2696. B.C. 1308. An. Ex. Is. 183. Mahlon
Deuteronomy 32:39, Psalms 89:30-32, Jeremiah 2:19
died
The Targum adds, "And because they transgressed the decree of the word of the Lord, and joined affinity with strange people, therefore their days were cut off."
and the woman
Isaiah 49:21, Matthew 22:25-27, Luke 7:12
Verse 6

Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.
visited
Genesis 21:1, 50:25, Exodus 3:16, 4:31, 1 Samuel 2:21, Luke 1:68, 19:44, 1 Peter 2:12
in giving
Genesis 28:20, 48:15, Exodus 16:4-6, Psalms 104:14,15, 111:5, 132:15, 145:15, Psalms 146:7, 147:14, Proverbs 30:8, Isaiah 55:10, Matthew 6:11, 1 Timothy 6:8
Verse 7

Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
she went
2 Kings 8:3
they went
10,14, Exodus 18:27
Verse 8

And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
Go
Joshua 24:15-28, Luke 14:25-33
the Lord
Philippians 4:18,19, 2 Timothy 1:16-18
the dead
5, 2:20, Ephesians 5:22, 6:2,3, Colossians 3:18,24
Verse 9

The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
rest
3:1
she kissed
Genesis 27:27, 29:11, 45:15, Acts 20:37
Verse 10

And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
Surely
Psalms 16:3, 119:63, Zechariah 8:23
Verse 11

And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
are there
This alludes to the custom that when a married brother died, without leaving posterity, his brother should take his widow; and the children of such marriages were accounted those of the deceased brother. This address of Naomi to her daughter-in-law is exceedingly tender, persuasive, and affecting.
that they
Genesis 38:11, Deuteronomy 25:5
Verse 12

Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
too old
Genesis 17:17, 1 Timothy 5:9
I should have
or, I were with.
Verse 13

Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
tarry
Heb. hope. it grieveth me much. Heb. I have much bitterness. the hand.
Deuteronomy 2:15, Judges 2:15, 1 Samuel 5:11, Job 19:21, Psalms 32:4, 38:2, 39:9,10
Verse 14

And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
Orpah
Genesis 31:28,55, 1 Kings 19:20, Matthew 10:37, 19:22, Mark 10:21,22, 2 Timothy 4:10
but Ruth
The LXX. add, [kai epestrepsen eis ton laon autes] "and returned to her own people." The Vulgate, Syriac, and Arabic are to the same purpose. It seems a very natural addition, and agrees with the assertion in the next verse; and is accordingly adopted by Houbigant as a part of the text.
Deuteronomy 4:4, 10:20, Proverbs 17:17, 18:24, Isaiah 14:1, Zechariah 8:23, Matthew 16:24, John 6:66-69, Acts 17:34, Hebrews 10:39
Verse 15

And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
gone back
Psalms 36:3, 125:5, Zephaniah 1:6, Matthew 13:20,21, Hebrews 10:38, 1 John 2:19
and unto
They were probably both idolaters at this time. That they were proselytes is an unfounded conjecture; and the conversion of Ruth now only commenced.
her gods
Judges 11:24
return
Joshua 24:15,19, 2 Samuel 15:19,20, 2 Kings 2:2, Luke 14:26-33, 24:28
Verse 16

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
Ruth
A more perfect surrender of friendly feelings to a friend was never made. This was a most extraordinary and disinterested attachment.
Intreat me not
or, Be not against me. to leave.
2 Kings 2:2-6, Luke 24:28,29, Acts 21:13
whither
2 Samuel 15:21, Matthew 8:19, John 13:37, Revelation 14:4
thy people
2:11,12, Psalms 45:10, Isaiah 14:1
thy God
Joshua 24:18, Daniel 2:47, 3:29, 4:37, Hosea 13:4, 2 Corinthians 6:16-18, 1 Thessalonians 1:9
Verse 17

Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
the lord
1 Samuel 3:17, 25:22, 2 Samuel 3:9,35, 19:13, 1 Kings 2:23, 19:2, 20:10, 2 Kings 6:31
but death
Acts 11:23, 20:24
Verse 18

When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
When
Acts 21:14
was stedfastly minded
Heb. strengthened herself.
Acts 2:42, Ephesians 6:10
Verse 19

So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
all the city
From this it would appear that Naomi was not only well known, but also highly respected at Beth-lehem: a proof that Elimelech was of high consideration at that place.
Matthew 21:10, Isaiah 23:7, Lamentations 2:15
Verse 20

And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
Naomi
that is, Pleasant. Mara. that is, Bitter. the Almighty.
Genesis 17:1, 43:14, Job 5:17, 11:7, Revelation 1:8, 21:22
dealt
Job 6:4, 19:6, Psalms 73:14, 88:15, Isaiah 38:13, Lamentations 3:1-20, Hebrews 12:11
Verse 21

I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
and the
1 Samuel 2:7,8, Job 1:21
the Lord
Job 10:17, 13:26, 16:8, Malachi 3:5
Verse 22

So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
in the beginning
At the beginning of Spring; for the barley harvest began immediately after the passover, and that festival was held on the 15th of Nisan, corresponding nearly with our March.
2:23, Exodus 9:31,32, 2 Samuel 21:9

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