INTRODUCTION TO RUTH 2 In this chapter we have an account of Ruth's gleaning corn in the fields of Boaz, a relation of Naomi, Ruth 2:1, and of Boaz coming to his reapers, whom he saluted in a very kind manner; and observing a woman gleaning after them, inquired of them who she was, and they informe... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NAOMI HAD A KINSMAN OF HER HUSBAND'S,.... That was her kinsman by her husband's side, who now lived at Bethlehem; and yet it does not appear that Naomi made any application to him for assistance in her circumstances, though well known to her, as the word used signifies; which might arise from he... [ Continue Reading ]
AND RUTH THE MOABITESS SAID TO NAOMI,.... After they had been some little time at Bethlehem, and not long; for they came at the beginning of barley harvest, and as yet it was not over, nor perhaps for some time after this; and knowing and considering the circumstances they were in, and unwilling to... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SHE WENT, AND CAME,.... That is, she went out of the house where she was, and out of the city, and came into the field; though, according to the Midrash p, she marked the ways as she went, before she entered into the field, and then came back to the city to observe the marks and signs she made,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND, BEHOLD, BOAZ CAME TO BETHLEHEM,.... Into the field, to see how his workmen went on, and performed their service, and to encourage them in it by his presence, and by his courteous language and behaviour, and to see what provisions were wanting, that he might take care and give orders for the sen... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SAID BOAZ UNTO HIS SERVANT THAT WAS SET OVER THE REAPERS,.... To direct them their work, what part each was to do, and to see that they did it well; to take care for provisions for them, and to pay them their wages when their work was done. Josephus t calls him αγροκομος, that had the care of... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE SERVANT THAT WAS SET OVER THE REAPERS ANSWERED AND SAID,.... Who had taken a great deal of notice of Ruth, and had conversed with her, and so was capable of giving answers to his master's question: IT IS THE MOABITISH DAMSEL THAT CAME BACK WITH NAOMI, OUT OF THE COUNTRY OF MOAB; perhaps he... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SHE SAID,.... These are the words of the servant continued, who goes on with the account of Ruth, and her conduct, since she had been in the field: I PRAY YOU LET ME GLEAN, AND GATHER AFTER THE REAPERS AMONG THE SHEAVES: for though by the law of Israel she had a right, as a poor widow and stran... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SAID BOAZ UNTO RUTH,.... Having heard what the servant said concerning her, he turned himself to her, and addressed her in the following manner: HEAREST THOU NOT, MY DAUGHTER? meaning not what the servant had said, but hereby exciting her to hearken to what he was about to say to her. Noldius... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THINE EYES BE UPON THE FIELD THAT THEY DO REAP, AND GO THOU AFTER THEM,.... And gather up the loose ears of corn dropped and left by them: HAVE I NOT CHARGED THE YOUNG MEN THAT THEY SHALL NOT TOUCH THEE? do her no hurt, or offer any incivility or rudeness to her, or even play any wanton tricks... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SHE FELL ON HER FACE, AND BOWED HERSELF TO THE GROUND,.... In great humility, and under a deep sense of the favour done her, and as showing the greatest respect, in a civil manner, she was capable of: AND SAID UNTO HIM, WHY HAVE I FOUND GRACE IN THINE EYES: how is it that one so mean and unwor... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BOAZ ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HER,.... Alshech thinks, that he lift up his voice that all that stood by might hear: IT HATH FULLY BEEN SHOWED ME; either by Naomi, or rather by some persons of Boaz's Naomi and reacquaintance, that had conversed with Naomi and related to Boaz what passed between th... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD RECOMPENCE THY WORK,.... The Targum adds, in this world; meaning the kind offices she had performed, and the good service she had done to her mother-in-law; nor is God unrighteous to forget the work and labour of love, which is shown by children to their parents; and though such works are n... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SHE SAID, LET ME FIND FAVOUR IN THY SIGHT, MY LORD,.... Or rather, since she had found favour in his sight already: the words are to be considered, not as a wish for it, but as acknowledging it, and expressing her faith and confidence, that she should for time to come find favour in his sight,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BOAZ SAID, AT MEALTIME COME THOU HITHER,.... This looks as if she was now in the booth, or house in the field, where the reapers used to retire to eat their food, or rest themselves, or take shelter from the heat of the sun. This meal was very likely dinner, the time of which was not yet come, b... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN SHE WAS RISEN UP TO GLEAN,.... After she had ate sufficiently, and refreshed herself, she rose up from her seat to go into the field and glean again; which shows her industry: BOAZ COMMANDED HIS YOUNG MEN; the reapers, or who gathered the handfuls, and bound them up in sheaves: SAYING, LE... [ Continue Reading ]
AND LET FALL SOME OF THE HANDFULS ON PURPOSE FOR HER,.... That is, when they had reaped an handful, instead of laying it in its proper order, to be taken up by those that gathered after them, or by themselves, in order to be bound up in sheaves, scatter it about, or let it fall where they reaped it:... [ Continue Reading ]
SO SHE GLEANED IN THE FIELD UNTIL EVEN,.... An instance of her great diligence and industry, attending to this mean employment constantly from morning tonight: AND BEAT OUT THAT SHE HAD GLEANED: she did not bind up her gleanings in a bundle, and carry it home on her head, as gleaners with us do, bu... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SHE TOOK IT UP,.... The ephah of barley, into her arms, or on her shoulders: AND WENT INTO THE CITY; the city of Bethlehem; AND HER MOTHER IN LAW SAW WHAT SHE HAD GLEANED: she set it down before her, and she looked at it with admiration, that she should glean so much in one day: AND SHE BROUG... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HER MOTHER IN LAW SAID UNTO HER, WHERE HAST THOU GLEANED TODAY?.... In what part of the field of Bethlehem? or on whose land, that she had gleaned so much? not that she suspected that she had got it in an illicit manner, but supposed she had been directed by the providence of God to a spot of gr... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NAOMI SAID UNTO HER DAUGHTER IN LAW, BLESSED BE HE OF THE LORD,.... Or the Lord bless him with all kind of blessings, temporal and spiritual; and as he has blessed him already, may he be blessed more and more: WHO HATH NOT LEFT OFF HIS KINDNESS TO THE LIVING AND TO THE DEAD; he had been kind to... [ Continue Reading ]
AND RUTH THE MOABITESS SAID, HE SAID UNTO ME ALSO,.... Besides the favours he has shown me already, he has given me reason to expect more, for he has given me this strict order: THOU SHALT KEEP FAST BY MY YOUNG MEN, UNTIL THEY HAVE ENDED ALL MY HARVEST; both barley harvest and wheat harvest; his wi... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NAOMI SAID UNTO RUTH HER DAUGHTER IN LAW,.... Observing the charge Boaz had given her, she thought fit to advise her upon it: IT IS GOOD, MY DAUGHTER, THAT THOU GO OUT WITH HIS MAIDENS; that is, go out in the morning with them, set out from Bethlehem when they went to work, and so continue with... [ Continue Reading ]
SO SHE KEPT FAST BY THE MAIDENS OF BOAZ TO GLEAN,.... Accepting the kindness of Boaz, and attending to the advice of her mother-in-law, as well as using all diligence to get a livelihood for her mother and herself; in which she was a wonderful instance of dutiful affection, humility, and industry: a... [ Continue Reading ]