This is a very interesting little book. It is one of the greatest love stories of all time. The story is told simply, and generally speaking is very easy to understand.

One of the first things we see as we start this book is that it is placed in the 200 years that we've just studied in the book of Judges. It is important to note and remember that this man is of the tribe of Judah. We will have more say about this at the end of the book

(chpt:  1 Vs: 001)  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. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 002)  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. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 003)  And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 004)  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. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 005)  And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. 

By the time we reach verse 6 both the father and the two sons have died and the three women are left alone without visible means of support.

(chpt:  1 Vs: 006)  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. 

Starting with verse 7 we find Naomi trying to convince her daughters in law to remain behind and marry within their own people. One daughter-in-law, Orpah chooses to follow that advice.

(chpt:  1 Vs: 007)  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. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 008)  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. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 009)  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. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 010)  And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 011)  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? 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 012)  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; 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 013)  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. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 014)  And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. 

Verse is 15 through 18 show us Ruth’s deep love and respect for her mother-in-law. In this day and age we often fail to recognize the importance and ministry of love that ought to be displayed by a mother-in-law. Right now might be a good time to review the small door labeled love. The old teacher has been blessed by a mother-in-law who was much like Naomi in her love for her family. Ruth's vow of faithfulness in verses 16 through 18 is a classic.

(chpt:  1 Vs: 015)  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. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 016)  And Ruth said, Entreat 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: 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 017)  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. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 018)  When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her. 

This chapter finishes with the arrival of Ruth and Naomi in Bethlehem.

(chpt:  1 Vs: 019)  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? 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 020)  And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 021)  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? 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 022)  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. 

This chapter introduces Boaz and shows his developing admiration and love for Ruth.

(chpt:  2 Vs: 001)  And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 002)  And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 003)  And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 004)  And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 005)  Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this? 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 006)  And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab: 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 007)  And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 008)  Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 009)  Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 010)  Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 011)  And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been showed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 012)  The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 013)  Then she said, Let me find favor in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 014)  And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 015)  And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 016)  And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 017)  So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 018)  And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 019)  And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she showed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz. 

In verse 20 when Naomi finds that Ruth has been gleaning in the fields of Boaz, and that he seems to take an interest in Ruth, she advises Ruth to stay under his protection since he is a close kinsman or relative.

(chpt:  2 Vs: 020)  And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 021)  And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 022)  And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 023)  So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law. 

It would appear from what we learn in this chapter that both Ruth and Boaz are a little bit bashful. Naomi proceeds to instruct her daughter-in-law on how to best break the ice with Boaz who responds with favor towards Ruth.

(chpt:  3 Vs: 001)  Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? 

(chpt:  3 Vs: 002)  And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor. 

(chpt:  3 Vs: 003)  Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. 

(chpt:  3 Vs: 004)  And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. 

(chpt:  3 Vs: 005)  And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do. 

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