Ruth 1:8-9

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:6-14

Longing for the old home. Brings to view I. NAOMI 'S RESOLUTION . No wonder that she formed it; for— 1. The ties that bound her to the land of Moab had been snapped by the hand of death. In the death of her husband there was the disruption of the house-band . In the deaths of her two sons who had become husbands , the only other bands or bonds that could keep together for Naomi a home in Moab were burst. Matthew Henry says, "The land of Moab was now become a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:8

And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each to her mother's house. She reverted, with deeper earnestness, to their theme, of discussion. She acknowledged that most kindly had they acted toward her. Her heart was filled with gratitude. It was likewise agitated with grief at the prospect of bidding them a final farewell, Nevertheless, she felt that it would be unreasonable and unkind to invite them to be, to any further degree, sharers of her adversity. Hence, thanking them for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:8

Kindness. Tidings reached Naomi that peace and plenty had returned to Judah, and she resolved to return to Bethlehem. She acknowledged the Lord's goodness, who "had visited his people in giving them bread." Doubtless she sought the Lord's guidance with reference to her return. It must have needed courage on her part to form and carry out this resolution. Her affectionate daughters-in-law accompanied her part of the way. Then came the hour of separation. As Naomi bade the young widows... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:8

Benedictions. The Hebrews were fond of benedictions. "The Lord bless thee and keep thee," "And Jacob blessed Joseph, and said, The God which fed me all my life long unto this day, the angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads." "The Lord bless thee out of Zion." These Scriptures of olden time touch us so tenderly, because they recognize the living hand, the loving heart of God. It is this which will make them never grow old. It is this which makes their inspiration living, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:8

"As you have dealt with the dead and me." This beautiful analogy, which has its root idea in love and home, is very suggestive. I. THE LORD KNOWS BEST WHAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN TO US . "As you have dealt with the dead and me." You have been good and true to them, Naomi says, with a voice that trembles with remembrances of the old days gone forever. It is a touching little sentence. The dead. So silent now. Never to come back for us to touch imperfectness into riper good;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:9

May Yahveh grant to you that ye may find rest, each in the house of her husband. Naomi again, when the current of her tenderest feelings was running full and strong, lifts up her longing heart toward her own Yahveh. He was the God not of the Hebrews only, but of the Gentiles likewise, and rifled and overruled in Moab. The prayer is, in its form, full of syntactical peculiarity: "May Yahveh give to you," and, as the result of his giving, "may you find rest, each [in] the house of her... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ruth 1:8

Accompanying their mother-in-law to the borders of their own land would probably be an act of Oriental courtesy. Naomi with no less courtesy presses them to return. The mention of the mother’s house, which the separation of the women’s house or tent from that of the men facilitates, is natural in her mouth, and has more tenderness in it than father’s house would have had; it does not imply the death of their fathers Ruth 2:11. read more

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