THE ARGUMENT
This little Book, by whomsoever written, which is not material to know, is annexed to the Book of Judges, and by some of the Hebrew doctors made a part of it. It is useful, as for many other points, so especially to show the genealogy of David, and consequently of Christ; and the rise of Christ from a Moabitish woman; which was a useful document, and a great encouragement to the Gentiles to believe in Christ.
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED:
Meanings of Names
Elimelech = My God Is King
Naomi = My Pleasant One, or Pleasant
Mahlon = Sick
Chilion = Pining
Orpah = Neck, Hind, or Fawn
Ruth = Appearance, or Beauty
Mara = Bitter
The Lord (JHVH; Heb. Jehovah) = He That Is, That Was, And That Is To Come
Almighty (Heb. Shaddai) = All Sufficient
Bethlehem = House of Bread
Summary of the Chapter
The event in this book takes place approximately B.C. 1322, during the Judges Stage where Israel was judged by the Judges. It begins with a famine in the land of Judah and a family traveling to Moab because of that famine (v.1). Elimelech dies not long after (v.3). His two sons take wives of the Moabite people and the family resides in Moab for 10 years (v.4). Then both the sons die, leaving three widows behind (v.5). Approximately B.C. 1312, Naomi hears how the LORD has provided bread for His people and so she decides to travel back to her homeland (v.6). Naomi tries convincing her daughters-in-law to go back home to their families and their gods, even using sarcastic questions relating to the Hebrew Law of Deuteronomy 25:5 (vv.11-13), but Ruth wants to remain with Naomi and the True God, Jehovah (vv.8-17). Ruth accompanies Naomi back to Bethlehem where Naomi, which means “Pleasant,” undergoes a name change to Mara, which means “Bitter” (v.20).
The bread in verse 6 indicates a blessing amongst the famine mentioned in verse 1. Oswald Chambers once said, “If you are going through a time of discouragement, there is a time of great personal growth ahead.” Personal growth can be a blessing. Likewise, this can apply to the situation of the land. Though they were experiencing a great time of discouragement, God had a blessing planned for them.
The word for God here in the text is the Hebrew Elohim, which is plural, indicating the Triune Godhead – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
WILMINGTON’S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE
MATTHEW HENRY’S ABRIDGED COMMENTARY
Elimelech and His Sons Die In the Land of Moab
Ver. 1-5. Elimelech’s care to provide for his family, was not to be blamed; but his removal into the country of Moab could not be justified. And the removal ended in the wasting of his family. It is folly to think of escaping that cross, which, being laid in our way, we ought to take up. Changing our place seldom is mending it. Those who bring young people into bad acquaintance, and take them out of the way of public ordinances, though they may think them well-principled, and armed against temptation, know not what will be the end. It does not appear that the women the sons of Elimelech married, were proselyted [proselyte: a person who converts from one belief to another] to the Jewish religion.
Earthly trials or enjoyments are of short continuance. Death continually removes those of every age and situation, and mars all our outward comforts: we cannot too strongly prefer those advantages which shall last for ever.
Naomi Returns Home
Ver. 6-14. Naomi began to think of returning, after the death of her two sons. When death comes into a family, it ought to reform what is amiss there. Earth is made bitter to us, that heaven may be made dear. Naomi seems to have been a person of faith and piety. She dismissed her daughters-in-law with prayer. It is very proper for friends, when they part, to part with prayer. She dismissed them with affection. If relations must part, let them thus part in love.
Did Naomi do well, to discourage her daughters from going with her, when she might save them from the idolatry of Moab, and bring them to the faith and worship of the God of Israel? Naomi, no doubt, desired to do that; but if they went with her, she would not have them to go upon her account. Those that take upon them a profession of religion only to oblige their friends, or for the sake of company, will be converts of small value. If they did come with her, she would have them make it their deliberate choice, and sit down first and count the cost, as it concerns those to do who make a profession of religion. And more desire “rest in the house of a husband,” or some worldly settlement or earthly satisfaction, than the rest to which Christ invites our souls; therefore when tried they will depart from Christ, though perhaps with some sorrow.
Orpah Stays Behind, But Ruth Goes With Naomi
Ver. 15-18. See Ruth’s resolution, and her good affection to Naomi. Orpah was loth [loth: unwilling to do something contrary to one’s ways of thinking] to part from her; yet she did not love her well enough to leave Moab for her sake. Thus, many have a value and affection for Christ, yet come short of salvation by him, because they will not forsake other things for him. They love him, yet leave him, because they do not love him enough, but love other things better. Ruth is an example of the grace of God, inclining the soul to choose the better part. Naomi could desire no more than the solemn declaration Ruth made. See the power of resolution; it silences temptation. Those that go in religious ways without a stedfast mind, stand like a door half open, which invites a thief; but resolution shuts and bolts the door, resists the devil and forces him to flee.
They Come To Bethlehem
Ver. 19-22. Naomi and Ruth came to Bethlehem. Afflictions will make great and surprising changes, especially the great change!
Naomi signifies “pleasant,” or “amiable;” Mara, “bitter,” or “bitterness.” She was now a woman of a sorrowful spirit. She had come home empty, poor, a widow, and childless. But there is a fullness for believers of which they never can be emptied; a good part which shall not be taken from those who have it. The cup of affliction is a “bitter” cup, but she owns that the affliction came from God. It well becomes us to have our hearts humbled under humbling providences. It is not affliction itself, but affliction rightly borne, that does us good.
This little Book, by whomsoever written, which is not material to know, is annexed to the Book of Judges, and by some of the Hebrew doctors made a part of it. It is useful, as for many other points, so especially to show the genealogy of David, and consequently of Christ; and the rise of Christ from a Moabitish woman; which was a useful document, and a great encouragement to the Gentiles to believe in Christ.
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED:
Meanings of Names
Elimelech = My God Is King
Naomi = My Pleasant One, or Pleasant
Mahlon = Sick
Chilion = Pining
Orpah = Neck, Hind, or Fawn
Ruth = Appearance, or Beauty
Mara = Bitter
The Lord (JHVH; Heb. Jehovah) = He That Is, That Was, And That Is To Come
Almighty (Heb. Shaddai) = All Sufficient
Bethlehem = House of Bread
Summary of the Chapter
The event in this book takes place approximately B.C. 1322, during the Judges Stage where Israel was judged by the Judges. It begins with a famine in the land of Judah and a family traveling to Moab because of that famine (v.1). Elimelech dies not long after (v.3). His two sons take wives of the Moabite people and the family resides in Moab for 10 years (v.4). Then both the sons die, leaving three widows behind (v.5). Approximately B.C. 1312, Naomi hears how the LORD has provided bread for His people and so she decides to travel back to her homeland (v.6). Naomi tries convincing her daughters-in-law to go back home to their families and their gods, even using sarcastic questions relating to the Hebrew Law of Deuteronomy 25:5 (vv.11-13), but Ruth wants to remain with Naomi and the True God, Jehovah (vv.8-17). Ruth accompanies Naomi back to Bethlehem where Naomi, which means “Pleasant,” undergoes a name change to Mara, which means “Bitter” (v.20).
The bread in verse 6 indicates a blessing amongst the famine mentioned in verse 1. Oswald Chambers once said, “If you are going through a time of discouragement, there is a time of great personal growth ahead.” Personal growth can be a blessing. Likewise, this can apply to the situation of the land. Though they were experiencing a great time of discouragement, God had a blessing planned for them.
The word for God here in the text is the Hebrew Elohim, which is plural, indicating the Triune Godhead – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
WILMINGTON’S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE
- During a famine, a Bethlehem citizen named Elimelech (which means, “God is King”), his wife Naomi (“the sweet one”) and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion (“sick” and “pining”) leave Palestine and go into Moab (1:1-2).
- The two boys marry, but soon tragedy strikes, for at first the father dies, and then both sons, leaving three saddened widows (1:3-5).
- Naomi decides to return to Palestine and is accompanied by her older daughter-in-law, Ruth. Naomi attempts to persuade Ruth to go back to her own home. Ruth’s answer must be counted as one of the most beautiful statements ever to come from the human throat. (1:16-17).
- Ruth and Naomi begin their difficult trip, walking nearly 100 miles and crossing mountains a mile high. Upon their return, a disillusioned Naomi instructs her old neighbors to call her “Mara,” which means, “bitter,” and not Naomi (1:20-22).
MATTHEW HENRY’S ABRIDGED COMMENTARY
Elimelech and His Sons Die In the Land of Moab
Ver. 1-5. Elimelech’s care to provide for his family, was not to be blamed; but his removal into the country of Moab could not be justified. And the removal ended in the wasting of his family. It is folly to think of escaping that cross, which, being laid in our way, we ought to take up. Changing our place seldom is mending it. Those who bring young people into bad acquaintance, and take them out of the way of public ordinances, though they may think them well-principled, and armed against temptation, know not what will be the end. It does not appear that the women the sons of Elimelech married, were proselyted [proselyte: a person who converts from one belief to another] to the Jewish religion.
Earthly trials or enjoyments are of short continuance. Death continually removes those of every age and situation, and mars all our outward comforts: we cannot too strongly prefer those advantages which shall last for ever.
Naomi Returns Home
Ver. 6-14. Naomi began to think of returning, after the death of her two sons. When death comes into a family, it ought to reform what is amiss there. Earth is made bitter to us, that heaven may be made dear. Naomi seems to have been a person of faith and piety. She dismissed her daughters-in-law with prayer. It is very proper for friends, when they part, to part with prayer. She dismissed them with affection. If relations must part, let them thus part in love.
Did Naomi do well, to discourage her daughters from going with her, when she might save them from the idolatry of Moab, and bring them to the faith and worship of the God of Israel? Naomi, no doubt, desired to do that; but if they went with her, she would not have them to go upon her account. Those that take upon them a profession of religion only to oblige their friends, or for the sake of company, will be converts of small value. If they did come with her, she would have them make it their deliberate choice, and sit down first and count the cost, as it concerns those to do who make a profession of religion. And more desire “rest in the house of a husband,” or some worldly settlement or earthly satisfaction, than the rest to which Christ invites our souls; therefore when tried they will depart from Christ, though perhaps with some sorrow.
Orpah Stays Behind, But Ruth Goes With Naomi
Ver. 15-18. See Ruth’s resolution, and her good affection to Naomi. Orpah was loth [loth: unwilling to do something contrary to one’s ways of thinking] to part from her; yet she did not love her well enough to leave Moab for her sake. Thus, many have a value and affection for Christ, yet come short of salvation by him, because they will not forsake other things for him. They love him, yet leave him, because they do not love him enough, but love other things better. Ruth is an example of the grace of God, inclining the soul to choose the better part. Naomi could desire no more than the solemn declaration Ruth made. See the power of resolution; it silences temptation. Those that go in religious ways without a stedfast mind, stand like a door half open, which invites a thief; but resolution shuts and bolts the door, resists the devil and forces him to flee.
They Come To Bethlehem
Ver. 19-22. Naomi and Ruth came to Bethlehem. Afflictions will make great and surprising changes, especially the great change!
Naomi signifies “pleasant,” or “amiable;” Mara, “bitter,” or “bitterness.” She was now a woman of a sorrowful spirit. She had come home empty, poor, a widow, and childless. But there is a fullness for believers of which they never can be emptied; a good part which shall not be taken from those who have it. The cup of affliction is a “bitter” cup, but she owns that the affliction came from God. It well becomes us to have our hearts humbled under humbling providences. It is not affliction itself, but affliction rightly borne, that does us good.