Ruth’s Loyalty to Naomi. Then they wept aloud again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law [goodbye], but Ruth clung to her. Ruth 1:14
The Origin of the House of David
INTRODUCTION
This exquisite idyll is united as a supplement to the book of Judges by the word translated “now,” with which it opens. It was evidently written after the monarchy was established. It has been ascribed to the prophet Samuel, and it is easy to understand the special interest with which he would narrate the origin of the family of the youth whom he had anointed as future king.
It is clear, however, from the need of explaining a custom which had become obsolete, that the events narrated took place in the early settlement of Israel in the Land of Promise, and probably before the judgeship of Gideon. The story gives a graphic and admirable picture of the simplicity and beauty of the home life of those early years; and it teaches us that we need never despair of our life, for in ways we know not of, God is bringing good out of evil, and sunshine from the dark and cloudy sky.
1.The Sojourn of Elimelech and His Family in Moab, Rth_1:1-5
1. What prompted Naomi to return to Bethlehem?
NAOMI WIDOWED
In the days when the judges governed [Israel], there was a famine in the land [of Canaan]. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live temporarily in the country of Moab with his wife and his two sons.
The man’s name was Elimelech and his wife’s name was Naomi and his two sons were named Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went to the country of Moab and stayed there.
Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left [a widow] with her two sons.
They took wives from the Moabite women; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other was Ruth. They lived there about ten years;
and then both Mahlon and Chilion also died, so the woman [Naomi] was left without her two sons and her husband.
RUTH’S LOYALTY TO NAOMI
Then she set out with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in Moab how the LORD had taken care of His people [of Judah] in giving them food.
So she left the place where she was living, her two daughters-in-law with her, and they started on the way back to the land of Judah.
But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you return to your mother’s house. May the LORD show kindness to you as you have shown kindness to the dead and to me.
May the LORD grant that you find rest, each one in the home of her husband.” Then she kissed them [goodbye], and they wept aloud.
And they said to her, “No, we will go with you to your people [in Judah].”
But Naomi said, “Go back, my daughters, why should you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that may become your husbands?
Go back, my daughters, go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said I have hope, and if I actually had a husband tonight and even gave birth to sons,
would you wait until they were grown? Would you go without marrying? No, my daughters; for it is much more difficult for me than for you, because the LORD’S hand has gone against me.”
Then they wept aloud again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law [goodbye], but Ruth clung to her.
Comments by
F.B.Meyer
On
Ruth 1:1-14
It was a mistake for Elimelech and his family to have left Bethlehem; God would have sent them bread. The path became darker and darker. Mahlon means Pining and Chilion Consumption. Three graves in a strange land! All the laughter and hope that had given Naomi her name of Pleasant had turned to sadness; she longed to see the dear village of her childhood and early married life, and to drink the water of the well, 2Sa_23:15. It is thus that the banished soul comes back to God. Moab’s fascination palls on the taste; its cisterns are broken and will hold no water. See Psa_63:1-11.
The two younger women climbed the road with Naomi, till they reached the point where the last glimpse could be taken of Moab. There Naomi uttered this remarkable address, urging her daughters to return. It was very thoughtful and tender, and touched chords of bitter memory and deep pathos. But the saddest undertone was not regret for the dead past; it was the feeling that the hand of the Lord had been against her. Nay, dear soul, that hand is already engaged in making all things work together for good. A few more months and your sorrow will be turned into joy, Rth_4:16.
On MeWe join our group at Friends in Jesus
We also have a Page about Creation Ministries International.
See also Young Earth Creationists
On Facebook;
Join our closed group at : Quo Vadis Christian Community Group to read and partake in the Bible study learn to know Jesus Christ. To know Him is to Love Him.
We also have an open Page at Quo Vadis Christian Community you might want to know more about.
Please ad yourself to our Messenger group to receive notification and chat to other members of the group.
You may however wish to disable notification and look at post when you have the time.
Join our messenger group at Friends in Jesus.
If you want a Bible please contact: Please let me have a Bible.
If you want a Bible in Pakistan.
You may also want to join Creation Ministries International.
Find more Study topics at Quo Vadis World
We give thanks and acknowledgement to Rick Meyers from e-Sword.
P.O. Box 1626
Franklin, TN 37065
United States of America
www.e-sword.net
