Ruth
This book is evidently a supplement to the book of Judges, and an introduction to that of Samuel, between which it is placed with great propriety. In the ancient Jewish canon, it formed a part of the book of Judges; but the modern Jews make it one of the five Megilloth, which they place towards the end of the Old Testament. This book has been attributed to various authors; but the best founded and generally received opinion, and in which the Jews coincide, is that which ascribes it to the prophet Samuel; before whose time it could not have been written, as is evident from the genealogy recorded in Jdg_4:17-22. The time in which the events detailed in this book happened is involved in much obscurity and uncertainty. Augustine refers it to the time of the regal government of the Hebrews; Josephus to the administration of Eli; Moldenhawer, after some Jewish writers, to the time of Ehud; Rabbi Kimichi, and other Jewish authors, to the time of Ibzan; Bps. Patrick and Horne to the judicature of Gideon; Lightfoot to the period between Ehud and Deborah; and Usher, who is followed by most chronologers, to the time of Shamgar. The authenticity and canonical authority of this sacred book cannot be questioned; and the Evangelists, in describing our Saviour's descent, have followed its genealogical accounts. To delineate part of this genealogy appears to be the principal design of the book; it had been foretold that the Messiah should be of the tribe of Judah, and it was afterwards revealed that he should be of the family of David; and therefore it was necessary, to prevent the least suspicion of fraud or design, that the history of that family should be written before these prophecies were revealed. And thus this book, these prophecies, and their accomplishment, serve mutually to illustrate each other. The whole narrative is extremely interesting and instructive, and is written with the most beautiful simplicity. The distress of Naomi; her affectionate concern for her daughter-in-law; the reluctant departure of Orpah; the dutiful attachment of Ruth; and the sorrowful return to Bethlehem, are very beautifully told. The simplicity of manners, likewise, which is shown in the account of Ruth's industry and attention to Naomi; of the elegant charity of Boaz; and of his acknowledgment of his kindred with Ruth, afford a very pleasing contrast to the turbulent scenes described in the preceding book. And while it exhibits, in a striking and affecting manner, the care of Divine Providence over those who sincerely fear God, and honestly aim at fulfilling his will, the circumstance of a Moabitess becoming an ancestor of the Messiah seems to have been a pre-intimation of the admission of the Gentiles into his church It must be remarked, that in the estimation of the Jews, it was disgraceful to David to have derived his birth from a Moabitess; and Shimei, in his revilings against him, is supposed by them to have tauntingly reflected on his descent from Ruth. This book, therefore, contains an intrinsic proof of its own verity, as it reveals a circumstance so little flattering to the sovereign of Israel; and it is scarcely necessary to appeal to its admission into the canon of Scripture, for a testimony of its authentic character. Add to which, that the native, the amiable simplicity in which the story is told, is sufficient proof of its genuineness. There are several sympathetic circumstances recorded which no forger could have invented. there is too much of nature to admit anything of art.
Ruth 1
Overview
1:1 Elimelech, driven by famine into Moab, dies there;
1:4 Mahlon and Chilion, having married wives of Moab, die also;
1:6 Naomi, returning homeward,
1:8 dissuades her two daughters-in-law from going with her;
1:14 Orpah leaves her, but Ruth with great constancy accompanies her;
1:19 They two come to Beth-lehem, where they are gladly received. Verse 1 the judges Judges 2:16, 12:8 ruledHeb. judgeda famine Genesis 12:10, 26:1, 43:1; Leviticus 26:19; Deuteronomy 28:23, 28:24, 28:38; 2 Samuel 21:1; 1 Kings 17:1-12, 18:2; 2 Kings 8:1, 8:2; Psalm 105:16, 107:34; Jeremiah 14:1; Ezekiel 14:13, 14:21; Joel 1:10, 1:11, 1:16-20; Amos 4:6, Beth-lehem-judah, Judges 17:8, 19:1, 19:2 Reciprocal 17:7 - General; 1 Samuel 22:3 - the king; 2 Kings 4:13 - among mine; 1 Chronicles 8:8 - in the; 2 Chronicles 6:28 - if there be dearth; Daniel 2:44 - in the days; Matthew 2:5 - General; Acts 13:20 - he gave Verse 2 ElimelechThe Rabbins say, that Elimelech was the son of Salmon, who married Rahab; and that Naomi was his niece.Naomi Ruth 1:20 MahlonIt is imagined, and not without probability, that Mahlon and Chilion are the same with Joash and Saraph, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:22.Ephrathites Genesis 35:19; 1 Samuel 1:1, 17:21; Micah 5:2 continuedHeb. wereReciprocal Genesis 35:16 - Ephrath; 48:7 - Rachel; Judges 17:7 - General; Ruth 4:11 - Ephratah; 1 Kings 11:26 - an Ephrathite; Psalm 132:6 - at Ephratah Verse 3 and she was 2 Kings 4:1; Psalm 34:19; Habakkuk 3:1, 3:1, 3:1
Verse 4 they tookThe 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, 11:2 Ruth Matthew 1:5
Verse 5 am Mahlon Deuteronomy 32:39; Psalm 89:30-32; Jeremiah 2:19 diedThe 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 Reciprocal Ruth 1:8 - the dead; Isaiah 47:9 - these two Verse 6 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; Psalm 104:14, 104:15, 111:5, 132:15, 145:15; 146:7, 147:14; Proverbs 30:8; Isaiah 55:10; Matthew 6:11; 1 Timothy 6:8 Reciprocal Psalm 65:9 - visitest; Zechariah 10:3 - visited Verse 7 she went 2 Kings 8:3 they went Ruth 1:10, 1:14; Exodus 18:27
Verse 8 Go Joshua 24:15-28; Luke 14:25-33 the Lord Philippians 4:18, 4:19; 2 Timothy 1:16-18 the dead Ruth 1:5, 2:20; Ephesians 5:22, 6:2, 6:3; Colossians 3:18, 3:24 Reciprocal Ruth 3:10 - at the beginning; 1 Samuel 20:8 - deal kindly; 2 Samuel 2:5 - Blessed Verse 9 rest Ruth 3:1 she kissed Genesis 27:27, 29:11, 45:15; Acts 20:37 Reciprocal Genesis 21:16 - lift; 31:28 - kiss; 45:2 - wept aloud Verse 10 Surely Psalm 16:3, 119:63; Zechariah 8:23 Reciprocal Ruth 1:7 - they went Verse 11 are thereThis 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 Reciprocal Genesis 38:8 - General; 38:9 - General; Ruth 2:11 - all that; 2 Samuel 15:19 - Ittai; Matthew 22:24 - Moses; Mark 12:19 - that; Luke 20:28 - General; John 6:67 - Will; Romans 4:18 - against; Galatians 4:27 - desolate Verse 12 too old Genesis 17:17; 1 Timothy 5:9 I should haveor, I were withReciprocal Deuteronomy 25:5 - husband's brother; Luke 20:28 - General Verse 13 tarryHeb. hopeit grieveth me muchHeb. I have much bitternessthe hand Deuteronomy 2:15; Judges 2:15; 1 Samuel 5:11; Job 19:21; Psalm 32:4, 38:2, 39:9, 39:10 Reciprocal Genesis 38:11 - till Shelah; Deuteronomy 25:5 - husband's brother Verse 14 Orpah Genesis 31:28, 31:55; 1 Kings 19:20; Matthew 10:37, 19:22; Mark 10:21, 10:22; 2 Timothy 4:10 but RuthThe LXX add, και επεστρεψεν εις τον λαον αυτης,, "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; Habakkuk 3:1 Reciprocal Genesis 34:3 - soul; 45:15 - Moreover; Ruth 1:7 - they went; 2:11 - all that; 2 Samuel 19:39 - kissed Barzillai Verse 15 gone back Psalm 36:3, 125:5; Zephaniah 1:6; Matthew 13:20, 13:21; Habakkuk 3:1; 1 John 2:19 and untoThey 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, 24:19; 2 Samuel 15:19, 15:20; 2 Kings 2:2; Luke 14:26-33, 24:28 Reciprocal Genesis 35:2 - strange; Numbers 10:30 - General; 2 Kings 3:13 - get Verse 16 RuthA more perfect surrender of friendly feelings to a friend was never made. This was a most extraordinary and disinterested attachment.Entreat me notor, Be not against meto leave 2 Kings 2:2-6; Luke 24:28, 24:29; Acts 21:13 whither 2 Samuel 15:21; Matthew 8:19; John 13:37; Revelation 14:4 thy people Ruth 2:11, 2:12; Psalm 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 Reciprocal Joshua 24:15 - choose; Ruth 2:6 - It is the; 4:15 - for thy; 1 Kings 8:41 - a stranger; 2 Kings 4:30 - I will not; 1 Chronicles 12:18 - came upon Amasai; 2 Chronicles 6:32 - the stranger; Proverbs 17:17 - General; Song of Songs 6:1 - that; Zechariah 8:23 - We will; Matthew 1:5 - Booz; John 1:38 - where; 2 Corinthians 7:3 - to die Verse 17 the lord 1 Samuel 3:17, 25:22; 2 Samuel 3:9, 3:35, 19:13; 1 Kings 2:23, 19:2, 20:10; 2 Kings 6:31 but death Acts 11:23, 20:24 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 14:44 - God; 20:13 - The Lord do; 2 Samuel 15:21 - surely; Song of Songs 6:1 - that; Daniel 1:8 - purposed; Zechariah 8:23 - We will; Matthew 1:5 - Booz; 2 Corinthians 7:3 - to die Verse 18 When Acts 21:14 was stedfastly mindedHeb. strengthened herself, 2:42; Ephesians 6:10 Reciprocal Daniel 1:8 - purposed; 1 Corinthians 15:58 - be ye; Colossians 2:5 - and the Verse 19 all the cityFrom this it would appear that Naomi was not only well known, but also highly respected at Beth-lehem: aproof that Elimelech was of high consideration at that place. Matthew 21:10 Is this Naomi Isaiah 23:7; Lamentations 2:15 Reciprocal Joshua 19:15 - Bethlehem; Ruth 2:6 - It is the; 1 Chronicles 2:51 - Bethlehem; Job 2:12 - knew him; Song of Songs 1:6 - Look; Lamentations 4:8 - they; Matthew 2:5 - General; Luke 2:4 - unto; John 9:8 - Is not Verse 20 Naomithat is, PleasantMarathat is, Bitterthe Almighty Genesis 17:1, 43:14; Job 5:17, 11:7; Revelation 1:8, 21:22 dealt Job 6:4, 19:6; Psalm 73:14, 88:15; Isaiah 38:13; Lamentations 3:1-20; Habakkuk 3:1 Reciprocal Exodus 1:14 - their lives; 15:23 - Marah; Ruth 1:2 - Naomi; 1 Samuel 1:10 - in bitterness of soul; Job 13:26 - writest; 23:16 - Almighty; 27:2 - vexed my soul; Psalm 107:39 - they are; Isaiah 22:4 - Look; 47:9 - these two; Lamentations 3:15 - filled; 4:8 - they; Micah 1:12 - Maroth; Revelation 8:11 - Wormwood Verse 21 and the 1 Samuel 2:7, 2:8; Job 1:21 the Lord 10:17, 13:26, 16:8; Malachi 3:5 Reciprocal Job 27:2 - vexed my soul; Psalm 42:4 - When; 107:39 - they are; Isaiah 22:4 - Look Verse 22 in the beginningAt 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 Ruth 2:23; Exodus 9:31, 9:32; 2 Samuel 21:9 Reciprocal Ruth 2:6 - It is the; Matthew 1:5 - Booz