Ruth 1

Elimelech removeth by reason of the famine, from Bethelehem unto the land of the Moabite, and dieth there, v. 1, etc. His two sons marry Moabitish wives, and die likewise, 4. Naomi, widow of Elimelech, hearing that the famine ceased, travelleth with her two daughters in Law, Orpa and Ruth, towards Bethelehem, 6. Naomi exhorteth both her daughters in Law, to return back to their own country, but Ruth will by no means forsake Naomi, 14. So both come to Bethelehem, 19.

1. It came to pass in the days when the Judges [See Judge 2 on v. 16] Judged, that there was famine in the land: [viz. Canaan. Compare Judges 6:4, 6.] therefore a man of Bethelehem Juda, [see Judg. 12. on vers. 8.] went to sojourn in the fields of Moab, [i.e. in the land of the Moabites, who descended from Lot, Deuteronomy 2:9. This land lay in the East, beyond Jordan, having many plain fields, see Deuteronomy 34:1, 8.] he and his wife, and his two sons.

2. Now the name of this man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi, [see below v. 20.] and the name of his two sons, Machlon and Chiljon, Ephratites, [Bethelehem Juda was formerly called also Ephrata, Genesis 35:10. and likewise the land wherein Bethelehem lay, Mich. 5. 2. hence they are called Ephratites] of Bethlehem Juda: and they came into field of Moab, and abode [Heb. were] there.

3. And Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died: but she was lest with her two sons.

4. They took then Moabitish wives; [Which was lawful to do, if these women were converted, otherwise not: for to marry Canaanitish wives was forbidden, upon this ground, lest they should seduce the people of God unto Idolatry, which reason or ground had also place in the Moabitish idolatrous women. See Ezra 9:1. Nehem. 13. 23. that Ruth was converted, appeareth plain, below v. 16. and chapter 2. 12.] the name of the one Orpa, and the name of the other, Ruth: and they continued there about ten years.

5. And those two, Machlon and Chiljon died also: so this woman [viz. Naomi] was left, after her two sons, and after her husband.

6. Then she arose with her daughters in law, and returned out of the fields of Moab: [To go unto Bethlehem Juda, v. 19.] for she had heard in the land of Moab, that the LORD had visited [See Gen. 21. on v. 1.] his people, giving them bread. [i.e. corn, and besides all things necessary to the sustentation of man’s life: so that the famine and scarcity ceased.

7. Therefore she went forth out of the place where she had been, and her two daughters in law with her: now as they went on the way, to return unto the land Juda. [Understand this Naomi, who had dwelt before in the Land of Juda, and returning thitherward, was accompanied with her daughters in Law, who had not been, nor dwelt there, see v. 10. and chapter 2. 6.]

8. So Naomi said to her two daughters in Law: Go your ways, return, each to her mother’s house: [Either because perhaps Orpa’s father was dead, or because the mothers do cunningly loves the daughters most. It’s said of Ruth chapter 2. 11. that she had left her father] the LORD show kindness unto you, as ye have done unto the dead, [meaning Machlon and Chiljon, the sons of Naomi, and her daughters in law’s true lawful husbands] and unto me.

9. The LORD grant unto you, that ye may find rest, [See below chapter 3. 1.] each in the house of her husband: [which ye shall happen to marry] and when she kissed them, [to take her leave of them, see Gen. 29. on v. 11.] they lift their voice and wept.

10. And they said unto her: We will surely return with thee unto thy people, [i.e. We will accompany thee that returnest unto thy people, and will go with thee]

11. But Naomi said; Return, my daughters; why should ye go with me? have I yet sons in my body, [Heb. bowels] that they may be husbands to you? [according to the Law, Deuteronomy 25:5.]

12. Return my daughters, go your ways; for I am too old to have an husband: [Heb. I am grown older, then that I should become to an Husband] if I should say I have hope, if I also this night should have an husband, [Heb. should become to an husband, to wit, a wife, or should this night lie with an husband] yea should also bear sons;

13. Would ye tarry for them, until they were grown big; would ye be reserved for them, to take no husband? [Heb. That ye should become to no husband] no my daughters, for it is more bitterer to me then to you; [viz. that I must part from you; or, because I now being old have lost my husband and children, and ye may yet enjoy comforts from future husbands and children. Otherwise, ‘tis most bitter to me, for your sakes, or, because of you: because ye have lost your husbands, and now also are so loath to depart from me] but the hand of the LORD is gone out against me. [As if she had said: Forasmuch as it is God’s blow, plague; and work, that I am bereft of my husband, and both my sons, and now also must lose your company, therefore I must wholly cast myself upon God, rest satisfied in his will, and so ought you also to do]

14. Then they lift up their voice, and wept again, and Orpa kissed her mother in law, [To wit, Naomi, taking therewith her leave, and returning to her dwelling place, or place of abode. See the following verse, and above on v. 9.] but Ruth clave unto her [That is, she would not part from Naomi; but tarried with her, and went on with her, as in the following verses is declared.]

15. Therefore she [viz. Naomi] said; Behold, thy sister in law [Heb. thy brother’s wife, that is here, she that hath had thy husband’s brother to her husband] is returned unto her people, and unto her Gods: [Or, her God, to wit the Idol of the Moabites, called Camos. See Judg. 11. on v. 24.] return thou also after thy sister in law.

16. But Ruth said; Fall not against me, that I should leave thee, to return front after thee; for whither thou shalt go, I also go, and where thou shalt overnight, I will overnight; thy people is my people, and thy God my God. [Hereby she manifesteth her conversion to the true God, and her fellowship of his Church; wherein it seemeth that Naomi would have proved hereby the precedent arguments, drawn from the example of her sister in Law. Compare Joshua 24:19.]

17. Where thou shalt die, and there will I be buried let the LORD do so to me, and so let him add thereunto; [i.e. Let the Lord punish me so, and let him go on in his punishment, and increase the same: If I mean otherwise, or do otherwise, then I have spoken. It’s a kind of oath, wherein the evil is concealed which they thought or wished to themselves, or left to the judgement of God. Compare 1 Kings 19. on v. 2. and Genes. 14. on v. 23.] if death (alone) shall not make a separation between me, and between thee.

18. Now when she saw, that she had strongly purposed to go along with her, she then ceased to speak to her.

19. So they both went until they came to Bethlehem: and it came to pass, when they came in Bethlehem, that all the City was troubled about them, and they, [i.e. the women at Bethelehem] said; Is this Naomi.

20. But she said unto them ; call me not, Naomi, [i.e. my loveliness, delightfulness, my pleasure] call me, Mara; [i.e. bitter, or, bitterness] for the Almighty [Heb. Schaddai. See Genes. 17. on v. 1] hath inflicted great bitterness upon me, [In bereaving me of my husband and both my sons]

21. I went away full, [Having my husband and my two sons alive, with sufficient means to live upon] but the LORD hath made me return empty: [viz. bereft of my husband, and my two sons, and means. See below chapter 2. 18.] why ye should ye call me, Naomi, whereas the LORD witnesses against me, [i.e. hath set himself as an adversary against me, or hath by his judgements, and plagues testified his displeasure against me, and convinced me of my sins. Compare Job 10:17. and 16. 8. Malach. 3. 5. James 5:3.] and the Almighty hath done evil to me? [Oth. hath pressed me down, or, smitten; i.e. hath sent me adversity, misery, and distress. See Gen. 19. on v. 19.]

22. So Naomi returned, and Ruth, the Moabitess her Daughter in law, with her, who returned [i.e. accompanied Naomi in her returning: as above v. 7. and 10.] out of the fields of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.