Ruth 1:6-22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 1:6-18

See here, I. The good affection Naomi bore to the land of Israel, Ruth 1:6. Though she could not stay in it while the famine lasted, she would not stay out of it when the famine ceased. Though the country of Moab had afforded her shelter and supply in a time of need, yet she did not intend it should be her rest for ever; no land should be that but the holy land, in which the sanctuary of God was, of which he had said, This is my rest for ever. Observe, 1. God, at last, returned in mercy to his... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 1:19-22

Naomi and Ruth, after many a weary step (the fatigue of the journey, we may suppose, being somewhat relieved by the good instructions Naomi gave to her proselyte and the good discourse they had together), came at last to Bethlehem. And they came very seasonably, in the beginning of the barley-harvest, which was the first of their harvests, that of wheat following after. Now Naomi's own eyes might convince her of the truth of what she had heard in the country of Moab, that the Lord had visited... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:6

Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab ,.... After the death of her two sons, and having heard of the ceasing of the famine in Israel, she had a desire to go into her own country, where she would have better opportunities of serving the Lord; and having no heart to stay in Moab, an idolatrous country, where she had lost her husband, and her two sons; and therefore prepared for her journey, and set forward, and her two daughters-in-law with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:7

Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was ,.... What part of Moab she had dwelt in, and now removed from, is not said; it is called the country or field of Moab, she returned from; hence some have thought, that she and her husband, and her sons, did not live in any of the cities of Moab, but in a field; either because the Moabites would not suffer them to dwell in their cities, only allowed them to pitch their tents in their fields; or they chose to dwell there, that they might... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:8

And Naomi said to her two daughters in law ,.... When they were come, as it is very probable, to the utmost limits of the land of Moab, and to the borders of the land of Israel: go, return each unto her mother's house : the mother's house is mentioned, and not the father's, not because they had no father living; for it is certain Ruth had a father as well as a mother, 2:11 but because mothers are most affectionate to their daughters, and they most conversant together; and because women... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:9

The Lord grant you ,.... Some make a supplement here, the Targum a perfect reward, Aben Ezra an husband; and so Josephus says F3 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 9. sect. 1. , she wished them happier marriages than they had with her sons, who were so soon taken from them; but a supplement seems needless, for what follows is connected with the wish, and contains the sum of it: that you may find rest ; each of you: in the house of her husband ; that is, that they might each of them be blessed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:10

And they said unto her ,.... When they had eased themselves in cries and tears, and had recovered their speech: surely we will return with thee unto thy people ; to be proselyted, as the Targum; not only to dwell with them, but to worship with them. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:11

And Naomi said, turn again, my daughters ,.... Supposing this resolution of theirs only arose from a natural affection, and not from any love to the God or people of Israel; at least doubting whether it was so or not, and willing to try whether anyone, or both of them, were really from a principle of religion inclined to go with her; and desirous that they would thoroughly consider what they did, lest they should repent and apostatize, and bring a reproach upon the true religion: why will... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:12

Turn again, my daughters, go your way ,.... This she repeated still to try their affections to her, and especially whether there was any real love to the God of Israel, his people, and worship, but still proceeds upon the same topic: for I am too old to have an husband ; and can never think of marrying again on account of age, nor can you surely ever think I should, at these years I am now arrived to: if I should say I have hope ; of marrying, and bearing children; suppose that: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:13

Would you tarry for them till they were grown ?.... It is not to be thought that they would tarry till she was married and had children, and then till these infants were grown up to men's estate, and be marriageable; for though Tamar tarried for Shelah, yet he was born, and of some years of age, though not a grown man, Genesis 38:11 . would ye stay for them from having husbands ? they were young widows, and it was fit they should marry again; and it could not be imagined that they... read more

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