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. _The Book of Ruth._] So, "The Book of Esther": not because these thrice worthy women - in whom,... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 2. _And the name of the man was Elimelech,_] _i.e., _ My God is King: an excelle... [ Continue Reading ]
And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. Ver. 3. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died.] Her head was cut off, her root uncovered. _Mulier vel hoc solo nomine misera est quod vidua est; _ To be a widow is misery enough of itself, and haleth at the heels of it many miseri... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 4. _And they took them wives of the women of Moab._] Which haply they had not been suffered to do if their father had lived: their mother, it... [ Continue Reading ]
And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Ver. 5. _And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them._] For a further trial and exercise of Naomi's faith and patience. _ And the woman was left of her two sons and her husband._] _Catenata pio... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 6. _Then she arose with her daughters-in-law._] Now she "heard the rod, and who had appointed it," M... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 7. _Wherefore she went forth out of the place._] And should not we hasten home to our Father's house, where is bread enough? _Fugiendum est... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 8. _And Naomi said unto her two daughters-in-law._] Hitherto she hath acted her part by doing and suffering. Now, and not till now, w... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 9. _The Lord grant you, that ye may find rest,_] _i.e., _ The Lord give you good husbands - Rth 3:2-9 - with whom you may live contentedly and co... [ Continue Reading ]
And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. Ver. 10. _Surely we will return with thee._] So they both said, and said as they thought: but Orpah, upon second thoughts, did otherwise. Saul in a passion promised fair, 1Sa 24:16-17 _; _ 1Sa 26:21 but David knew there was no... [ Continue Reading ]
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? Ver. 11. _Turn again, my daughters._] Though she were but their step-mother, yet, as one stepped in to be instead of a natural mother, she calleth them her d... [ Continue Reading ]
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; Ver. 12. _Turn again, my daughters._] A probational persuasion, as Ruth 1:8, that she might sound them to the bottom.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 13. _Would ye tarry for them?_] Heb., Hope. The Hebrew word that signifieth hope, signifieth a... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her._ Ver. 14. _And they lifted up their voice, and wept again._] As loath to part, for the old love's sake. Tears are no sign of an effeminate spirit, witness David, Paul, Peter, &c. Seneca, th... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 15. _Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back._] A great temptation to Ruth - Hebrews 11:37 _, "they were tempted"_ - as it was likewise to the disciples, when many fell... [ Continue Reading ]
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: Ver. 16. _Intreat me not._] Or, Be not troublesome to me by thy dissuasions; hinder me... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 17. _Where thou diest, &c_] That both she and her mother should once die, she doubted not. Heb 9:27 This many seem to do, whilst they so live as if their lives... [ Continue Reading ]
When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her. Ver. 18. _When she saw that she was steadfastly minded._] Heb., Strengthened herself, to wit, by her oath; and so gave sufficient testimony of the grace of God in her, that she was "steadfast and unmovable.... [ Continue Reading ]
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? Ver. 19. _So they two went until they came to Bethlehem._] Thus God never forsaketh his, _Will not forsake even if forsaked_... [ Continue Reading ]
_And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me._ Ver. 20. _And she said unto them._] She put her mouth in the dust, and spake in a low language, suitable to her present condition. God had afflicted her, and she would carry her sails accor... [ Continue Reading ]
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? Ver. 21. _I went out full._] Not for want, but for fear of want. This she now regretteth, as done out of distrust. God's voice... [ Continue Reading ]
_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._ Ver. 22. _So Naomi returned, &c._] So Jews and Gentiles walk to heaven together. _ In the beginning of barley harves... [ Continue Reading ]