Ruth 1

NOw it came to pass in the days when the Judges Ruled Which is noted as the cause of the following Famine, because in much of that time they were guilty of great defection from God. But under which of the Judges this happened, Scripture being silent, it seems presumptuous to determine; nor is it necessary to know what is said about this matter from the Genealogy mentioned, Chap. 4. 18, &c. it will be most proper to consider it there., that there was a famine in the land Or, in that land; to wit, of Canaan.: and a certain man of Bethlehem-Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab A Fruitful Land, beyond Iordan, Eastward., he, and his wife, and his two sons.

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 So called, because this Bethlehem is otherwise called Ephrath or Ephratha, Gen. 35. 19. Mich. 5. 2. either from Caleb's Wife of that name, 1 Chron. 2. 19. and 4. 4. or from the fertility of the Soyl about it; which title may therefore be used here, to show the greatness of the Famine, which affected even fertile parts. of Bethlehem-Judah e: and they came into the countrey of Moab, and continued there To wit, during the Famine..

And Elimelech Naomies husband died, and she was left, and her two sons.

And they took them wives of the women of Moab Either these were Proselytes when they Married them, which may well be doubted, from v. 15. or they sinned in marrying them, as appears from Deut. 7. 3. and 23. 3. Ezra 9. 1, 2. Nehem. 13. 23. and therefore were punished with short Life, and want of Issue, v. 5, 19, 21.: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelt there about ten years As long as the Famine lasted..

And Mahlon, and Chilion died also both of them, and the woman was left of her two sons, and her husband.

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 i. e. Food, so she staid no longer there than necessity forced her..

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.

And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mothers house Not that they wanted Fathers, Ruth 2. 11. but because Daughters used to converse more frequently with their Mothers, and to be most endeared to them, and to dwell in the same apartments with them, which then were distinct from those parts of the House where the Men dwealt.: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead With my Sons, your Husbands, whilest they lived., and with me.

The LORD grant you, that ye may find rest i. e. A quiet and happy life, free from those cares, vexations, incumbrances, and troubles which Widows are in a special manner exposed unto., each of you in the house of her husband: Then she kissed them As the manner there was when friends parted., and they lift up their voice and wept.

And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.

And Naomi said, Turn again my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any moe sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands According to the Ancient Custome, Gen. 38. and the express Law of God, Deut. 25. 5 which doubtless she had acquainted them with before, among other branches of the Jewish Religion, wherein she did instruct them.?

Turn again my daughters, go your way p, for I am too old to have an husband: if I should say, I have hope, if I should have a husband also to night, and should also bear sons: n Qu. Why does she disswade them from this journey, and not rather persuade them to go with her, and to embrace the Jewish Religion? Answ. 1. Possibly she thought such disswasion might be the best way to persuade them, as it oft happens; especially in that Sex. 2. She would not have them rashly and inconsiderately to embrace the Jewish Religion, in hopes of some advantage from it, which she justly thought they would be disappointed of; and withal, exposed to many straits and troubles, and on that occasion, revolt from the True Religon, which would be far worse than never to have embraced it. And therefore she does justly, and wisely, and piously, in representing to them the truth of the business, and the outward inconveniences which would accompany the Change of their Place, and Religion; as also our Blessed Lord Christ did, Mat. 8. 20.

Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands It is unreasonable for me to expect it, or for you to perform it.? nay, my daughters: for it grieveth me much for your sakes That you are left without the comfort of Husbands or Children; that I must part with such dear and affectionate Daughters; and that my circumstances are such, that I cannot invite, nor incourage you to go along with me. For her condition was so mean at this time, that Ruth when she came to her Mothers City, was forced to Glean for a living, Chap. 2. 2., that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.

And they lift up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law i. e. Departed from her with a kiss, as the manner was, Gen. 31. 28. 1 King. 19. 20., but Ruth clave unto her.

And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods Which she says, partly to try Ruths sincerity and constancy; partly, that by upbraiding Orpah with her Idolatry, she might consequently turn her from it; and partly, that she might intimate to her, that if she went with her, she must embrace the True God and Religion.: return thou after thy sister in law.

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 I renounce those Idols which my Sister has returned to, and I will Worship no other God but thine, who is indeed the only True God.:

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.

When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

¶ 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 Is this she that formerly lived in so much Plenty and Honour? Oh how marvellously is her condition changed, that she is returned in this forlorn and desolate condition!?

And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi Which signifies pleasant, or chearful, or amiable., call me Mara Which signifies bitter or sorrowful.: for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.

I went out full With my Husband and Sons, and a plentiful Estate for our support., and the LORD has brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord has testified against me i. e. Has born witness, as it were, in Judgment, and given Sentence against me, and declared my Sin by my Punishment., and the Almighty has afflicted me?

So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter in law with her, which returned out of the countrey of Moab, and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.