1.
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.
1. in the days when the judges
ruled—The beautiful and interesting story which this book
relates belongs to the early times of the judges. The precise date
cannot be ascertained.
2.
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.
2. Elimelech—signifies "My
God is king."
Naomi—"fair or
pleasant"; and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, are supposed
to be the same as Joash and Saraph ().
Ephrathites—The ancient
name of Beth-lehem was Ephrath (Genesis 35:19;
Genesis 48:7), which was continued
after the occupation of the land by the Hebrews, even down to the
time of the prophet Micah (Micah 5:2).
Beth-lehem-judah—so
called to distinguish it from a town of the same name in Zebulun. The
family, compelled to emigrate to Moab through pressure of a famine,
settled for several years in that country. After the death of their
father, the two sons married Moabite women. This was a violation of
the Mosaic law (Deuteronomy 7:3; Deuteronomy 23:3;
Ezra 9:2; Nehemiah 13:23);
and Jewish writers say that the early deaths of both the young men
were divine judgments inflicted on them for those unlawful
connections.
Nehemiah 13:23. NAOMI
RETURNING HOME,
RUTH ACCOMPANIES
HER.
3.
And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
4.
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.
5.
And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
6.
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.
6, 7. Then she arose with her
daughters-in-law, that she might return from the country of Moab—The
aged widow, longing to enjoy the privileges of Israel, resolved to
return to her native land as soon as she was assured that the famine
had ceased, and made the necessary arrangements with her
daughters-in-law.
7.
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.
8.
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.
8. Naomi said unto her two
daughters-in-law, Go, return each to her mother's house—In
Eastern countries women occupy apartments separate from those of men,
and daughters are most frequently in those of their mother.
the Lord deal kindly with
you, as ye have dealt with the dead—that is, with my sons, your
husbands, while they lived.
9.
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.
9. The Lord grant you that ye may
find rest—enjoy a life of tranquillity, undisturbed by the
cares, incumbrances, and vexatious troubles to which a state of
widowhood is peculiarly exposed.
Then she kissed them—the
Oriental manner when friends are parting.
10.
And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
11.
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?
11. are there yet any more sons in
my womb, that they may be your husbands?—This alludes to the
ancient custom (Genesis 38:26)
afterwards expressly sanctioned by the law of Moses (Genesis 38:26), which required a younger son to marry the widow of his
deceased brother.
12.
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;
12, 13. Turn again, my daughters, go
your way—That Naomi should dissuade her daughters-in-law so
strongly from accompanying her to the land of Israel may appear
strange. But it was the wisest and most prudent course for her to
adopt: first, because they might be influenced by hopes which could
not be realized; second, because they might be led, under temporary
excitement, to take a step they might afterwards regret; and, third,
because the sincerity and strength of their conversion to the true
religion, which she had taught them, would be thoroughly tested.
13.
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.
13. the hand of the Lord is gone out
against me—that is, I am not only not in a condition to provide
you with other husbands, but so reduced in circumstances that I
cannot think of your being subjected to privations with me. The
arguments of Naomi prevailed with Orpah, who returned to her people
and her gods. But Ruth clave unto her; and even in the pages of
Sterne, that great master of pathos, there is nothing which so calls
forth the sensibilities of the reader as the simple effusion he has
borrowed from Scripture—of Ruth to her mother-in-law [CHALMERS].
. THEY COME
TO BETH-LEHEM.
14.
And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
15.
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.
16.
And Ruth said, Intreat 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:
17.
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.
18.
When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
19.
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?
19-22. all the city was moved about
them—The present condition of Naomi, a forlorn and desolate
widow, presented so painful a contrast to the flourishing state of
prosperity and domestic bliss in which she had been at her departure.
20.
And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
21.
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?
22.
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.
22. in the beginning of barley
harvest—corresponding to the end of our March.