“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. ruled: Heb. judged”
In the land of Canaan. In the tribe of Judah, which was also called Bethlehem Ephrathah, because there was another city so called in the tribe of Zebulun. Hebrew, judged .
“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.”
By this wonderful providence of God Ruth became one of God’s household, of whom Christ came.
“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.”
Hereby it appeareth that Naomi by dwelling among idolaters, was waxen cold in the true zeal of God, which rather hath respect to the ease of the body, than to the comfort of the soul.
“And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.”
When she took leave and departed.
“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.”
No persuasions can prevail to turn them back from God, whom he hath chosen to be his.
“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?”
Whereby appeareth that she was of a great family of good reputation.
“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.”
Which was in the month Nisan, that containeth part of March and part of April.