Ruth 3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 3

We found it very easy, in the former chapter, to applaud the decency of Ruth's behaviour, and to show what good use we may make of the account given us of it; but in this chapter we shall have much ado to vindicate it from the imputation of indecency, and to save it from having an ill use made of it; but the goodness of those times was such as saved what is recorded here from being ill done, and yet the badness of these times is such as that it will not justify any now in doing the like. Here... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 3:1-5

Here is, I. Naomi's care for her daughter's comfort is without doubt very commendable, and is recorded for imitation. She had no thoughts of marrying herself, Ruth 1:12. But, though she that was old had resolved upon a perpetual widowhood, yet she was far from the thoughts of confining her daughter-in-law to it, that was young. Age must not make itself a standard to youth. On the contrary, she is full of contrivance how to get her well married. Her wisdom projected that for her daughter which... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 3:6-13

Here is, I. Boaz's good management of his common affairs. It is probable, according to the common usage, 1. When his servants winnowed, he was with them, and had his eye upon them, to prevent, not their stealing any of his corn (he had no reason to fear that), but their waste of it through carelessness in the winnowing of it. Masters may sustain great losses by servants that are heedless, though they be honest, which is a reason why men should be diligent to know the state of their own flocks,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 3:14-18

We are here told, I. How Ruth was dismissed by Boaz. It would not have been safe for her to go home in the dead of the night; therefore she lay at his feet (not by his side) until morning. But as soon as ever the day broke, that she had light to go home by, she got away, before one could know another, that, if she were seen, yet she might not be known to be abroad so unseasonably. She was not shy of being known to be a gleaner in the field, nor ashamed of that mark of her poverty. But she... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 3

INTRODUCTION TO RUTH 3 In this chapter we have a proposal of Naomi to Ruth, with advice and directions to get Boaz for her husband, 2:1 . Ruth's obedience to the instructions she gave her, 2:5 , the notice Boaz took of her, and the conversation that passed between them, 2:8 the dismission of her in the morning to her mother-in-law with a gift, to whom she returned, and acquainted her with what had passed, 2:14 . read more

John Gill

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

Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her ,.... After the harvests were over, and so gleaning likewise; when Naomi and Ruth were together alone in their apartment, the mother addressed the daughter after this manner: my daughter, shall I not seek for thee, that it may be well with thee ? that is, in the house of an husband, as in 1:9 her meaning is, to seek out for an husband for her, that she might have an house of her own to rest in, and an husband to provide her; that so she might... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 3:2

And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast ?.... He was, and her question supposes and concludes it, and which she observes, that Ruth might take notice of it, and encouragement from it; and the rather, since she had been admitted into the company and conversation of his maidens; and which was more, though not mentioned, into the company and conversation of himself, and whom Ruth knew full well; and who being, Naomi thought, the next nearest kinsman, and obliged by the... read more

John Gill

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

Wash thyself, therefore ,.... Thy flesh, as Ben Melech, that she might appear clean and neat, and free from all spots, and every thing that might occasion a disagreeable aspect, or an ill scent, and so be acceptable to the man proposed: and anoint thee ; not with aromatic ointments, as great personages, both men and women, used as Aben Ezra notes, but with common oil, Ruth being a poor widow that she might look sleek and smooth: and put thy raiment upon thee ; that is, her best... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 3:4

And it shall be, when he lieth down ,.... On the threshingfloor, under the open air, in order to sleep, and take rest: that thou shall mark the place where he shall lie ; the spot he shall lie on, and the direction in which he shall lie, whether east, west, &c.; that when the light shall be taken away, and the darkness of the night come on, she might pretty easily find the place where he lay: and thou shall go in and uncover his feet, and lay thee down ; go into the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 3:5

And she said unto her ,.... Having the highest opinion of her piety and prudence, and being confident she would never advise her to what was contrary to true religion and virtue: all that thou sayest unto me I will do ; observe every instruction and direction she gave her, and attend strictly to every circumstance pointed out to her, as she did; the word for "unto me" is one of those instances, the Masora observes, is not written but read; the letters of the word are not in the text,... read more

Group of Brands