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Ruth

Ruth

Summary of the Book of Ruth

By H. A. (Buster) Dobbs
  1. Introduction (1:1-5)
    1. Events occurred "when the judges ruled" (1:1)
    2. The author is uncertain, but may have been Samuel
    3. The book probably was written during the time of David
    4. Famine in the area of Bethlehem (1:1)
    5. Migration to Moab (1:1)
      1. Elimelech and his wife, Naomi (1:2)
      2. They had two sons, Mahlon and Chilion
      3. They were Ephrathites of Bethlehem-judah
      4. They were of the tribe of Judah
    6. Elimelech died in Moab (1:3)
    7. After the death of Elimelech, his two sons married Moabite women (1:4)
      1. One of the sons married Orpah (1:4)
      2. The other son married Ruth (1:4)
      3. This was in violation of the Law of Moses (Deut 7:3; 23:3; Ezra 9:2)
      4. After 10 years both Mahlon and Chilion died (1:5)
      5. Naomi was without husband or sons (1:5)
  2. Devotion of Ruth to Naomi (1:6 to 2:23)
    1. Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem-judah (1:7)
      1. Both Orpah and Ruth accompany Naomi part of the way (1:7)
      2. Naomi urges her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab (1:8-13)
      3. Orpah tearfully agrees to remain in Moab (1:14)
      4. Ruth refuses to leave Naomi (1:14-18)
        1. Ruth’s famous statement: "Entreat me not to leave thee, and 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; where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: Jehovah do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me."
        2. Ruth was "steadfastly minded" to remain with Naomi, so the mother-in-law ceased her protest
    2. They arrive at Bethlehem (1:19)
      1. Women of Bethlehem surprised to see Naomi so sad and desolate
      2. Naomi asks them to call her "Mara," instead of Naomi (1:20)
      3. Naomi blames Jehovah for her sad plight (1:21)
      4. Naomi and Ruth arrive in Bethlehem at harvest time (1:22)
    3. Ruth’s care for Naomi (2:1-23)
      1. Boaz, a powerful, wealthy kinsman of Elimelech (2:1)
      2. Ruth ask Naomi to permit to glean the harvest fields (2:2)
      3. Ruth gleaned in the field of Boaz (2:3)
      4. Boaz observes and meets Ruth (2:4-7)
      5. Boaz provides for Ruth (2:8-23)
  3. Ruth’s Devotion to Naomi is Rewarded (3:1-18)
    1. Naomi advises Ruth on how best to remind Boaz of his duty (3:1-9)
      1. Ruth follows Naomi’s instructions (3:6-8)
      2. Boaz discovers Ruth at his feet (3:9)
      3. Ruth makes request for Boaz to fulfill the Levirate law (Deut 25:5)
    2. Boaz desires to become Ruth’s husband (3:10-18)
      1. There was a problem (3:12)
      2. Gift to Ruth and Naomi (3:15)
      3. Ruth returns to Naomi with good news and a gift (3:16-17)
      4. Naomi correctly surmises that Boaz will act quickly (3:18)
    3. Boaz marries Ruth (4:1-22)
      1. Boaz secures from a nearer relative the right of redemption (4:1-12)
      2. Boaz and Ruth marry (4:13)
      3. Obed is born to Ruth and Boaz (4:14-17)
      4. Brief genealogy showing David was descended from Ruth and Boaz (4:18-22)
Ruth

Ruth, book of the Old Testament. Ruth follows the book of Judges in Christian versions of the Old Testament, but in the Hebrew Bible it is found in the third part of the canon, which is known as the Writings. This ancient Hebrew story tells of a family from the town of Bethlehem in Judea that takes refuge in the country of Moab during a famine. While there, the sons of the Judean family marry Moabite women. When the father and the two sons die, Naomi, the mother, returns to her home in Bethlehem. Ruth, one of her daughters-in-law, insists on returning with her (1:16-17). Ruth's devotion and kindness attract the attention of Naomi's kinsman Boaz (2:1-4:12), who eventually marries Ruth. She becomes the great-grandmother of King David.