Ruth 1:2-3 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 1:1-5

The first words give all the date we have of this story. It was in the days when the judges ruled (Ruth 1:1), not in those disorderly times when there was no king in Israel; but under which of the judges these things happened we are not told, and the conjectures of the learned are very uncertain. It must have been towards the beginning of the judges? time, for Boaz, who married Ruth, was born of Rahab, who received the spies in Joshua's time. Some think it was in the days of Ehud, others of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:2

And the name of the man was Elimelech ,.... Which signifies "my God is King", as he was King over Israel. In the times of the judges, the government was a theocracy; the judges were raised up immediately by the Lord, and ruled under him; the Targum calls him a great man, and so Jarchi; and it is very likely he was, especially if it be true what is said the Jewish chronology F21 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 12. p. 34. Shalshalet Hakabala, fol. 8. 1. , that he was the brother of Salmon, prince... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:3

And Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died ,.... According to Josephus F24 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 5. c. 9. sect. 1.) , after he had dwelt in the land ten years, and had married his two sons to Moabitish women; but, as Alshech observes, the text shows that while he was living they were not married to them, but after his death; and it is said of them only that they dwelt there about ten years; so that it is most probable that their father died quickly after he came into the land of Moab: and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 1:2

Elimelech - That is, God is my king. Naomi - Beautiful or amiable. Mahlon - Infirmity. Chilion - Finished, completed. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 1:3

Elimelech - died - Probably a short time after his arrival in Moab. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:1-2

A family of Bethlehem. This Book is precious as a record of domestic life. The peaceful, prosperous, happy home of the Ephrathite is rather suggested than described. I. The TIME and STATE of society. "The days when the judges ruled." The preceding Book enables us to picture what times of unsettlement, and occasionally of anarchy, these were. The customs of the time were primitive, and the habits of the people were simple. The elders sat at the gates of the little city. Business was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:1-2

Famine and impoverishment. The former scene one bright and joyous. An honest Hebrew, of the tribe of Judah, living upon the land of his inheritance, with the wife of his heart and the children of his youth. Thus were formed the bonds which prosperity could not dissolve and adversity could not snap. Here were learned the hereditary and traditional lessons of faith, patience, forbearance, piety, and hope. A contrast follows. I. FAMINE . Probably from some incursion of the hostile... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:1-2

Emigration. Picture the removal of this family from the home they loved. Taking with them, it may be, the remnant of their cattle, they bade adieu to the familiar scenes where they had known content and plenty, where they had formed their friendships and alliances. The best prospect for them lay towards the east, and eastwards accordingly they traveled. Whether they struck southwards by the foot of the Salt Sea, or crossed the Jordan at the ford, they must soon have reached the verdant... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:1-5

The emigrants and their trials. We are introduced to the Hebrew family into which the Moabitess Ruth was married. I. THE BEAUTIFUL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NAMES of both the Hebrew parents. II. THE WOLF OF HUNGER HAD COME PROWLING TO THE HEBREWS ' DOOR . In those conditions of society in which there is little commerce to unite people to people, or when a city is in a state of siege, the consequences of famine are inexpressibly sad and harrowing.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:2

And the name of the man was Elimelech. That is, "God is King," not, as the older critics were accustomed to interpret it, "My God is King." The intermediate i is not the possessive pronoun, but the vowel of union. The name would be originally significant of strong religious Sentiments, perhaps mingled with strong political principles. The imposition of it on a son would be something like a manifesto of the father's creed. And the name of his wife Naomi. Or rather "No-o-mi." The precise... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 1:1-5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 1:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 1:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:2

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