Ruth 1:1
In the land — Of Canaan. It must be early: for Boaz was born of Rahab. So Christ descended from two Gentile mothers.... [ Continue Reading ]
In the land — Of Canaan. It must be early: for Boaz was born of Rahab. So Christ descended from two Gentile mothers.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ephrathites — Bethlehem was otherwise called Ephratha. Naomi signifies my amiable or pleasant one: Mahlon and Chilon signify sickness and consumption. Probably they were sickly children, and not likely to be long — lived. Such are the products of our pleasant things, weak and infirm, fading and dyin... [ Continue Reading ]
Took wives — Either these were Proselytes when they married them, or they sinned in marrying them, and therefore were punished with short life, and want of issue.... [ Continue Reading ]
Was left of her two sons, and her husband — Loss of children and widowhood are both come upon her. By whom shall she be comforted? It is God alone that is able to comfort those who are thus cast down.... [ Continue Reading ]
Bread — That is, food; so she staid no longer there than necessity forced her.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mother's house — Because daughters used to converse more frequently with their mothers, and to dwell in the same apartments with them, which then were distinct from those parts of the house where the men dwelt. The dead — With my sons, your husbands, while they lived.... [ Continue Reading ]
Your husbands — According to the ancient custom, Genesis 38:8, and the express law of God, Deuteronomy 25:5, which doubtless she had acquainted them with before, among other branches of the Jewish religion.... [ Continue Reading ]
It grieveth me — That you are left without the comfort of husbands or children; that I must part with such affectionate daughters; and that my circumstances are such, that I cannot invite you to go alone with me. For her condition was so mean at this time, that Ruth, when she came to her mother's ci... [ Continue Reading ]
Kissed — Departed from her with a kiss. Bade her farewell for ever. She loved Naomi, but she did not love her so well, as to quit her country for her sake. Thus many have a value for Christ, and yet come short of salvation by him, because they cannot find in their hearts, to forsake other things for... [ Continue Reading ]
To her gods — Those that forsake the communion of saints, will certainly break off their communion with God. This she saith, to try Ruth's sincerity and constancy, and that she might intimate to her, that if she went with her, she must embrace the true religion.... [ Continue Reading ]
There will I be buried — Not desiring to have so much as her dead body carried back into the land of Moab: but Naomi and she having joined souls, she desires they may mingle dust, in hopes of rising together, and remaining together for ever.... [ Continue Reading ]
Left speaking unto her — See the power of resolution! Those who are half — resolved, are like a door a — jar, which invites a thief. But resolution shuts and bolts he door, and then the devil flees from us.... [ Continue Reading ]
Is this — Is this she that formerly lived in so much plenty and honour? How marvelously is her condition changed?... [ Continue Reading ]
Naomi — Which signifies pleasant, and chearful. Mara — Which signifies bitter or sorrowful.... [ Continue Reading ]
Full — With my husband and sons, and a plentiful estate for our support. Testified — That is, hath borne witness, as it were, in judgment, and given sentence against me.... [ Continue Reading ]