Ruth 4:4

"And I thought to disclose it unto thee, saying; Buy it before them that sit here, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me; for there is none to redeem it besides thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it."

"And I thought to disclose it ... saying." "This is a primitive expression denoting internal resolution, such as, `I said to myself.'"[3]

"And before the elders of my people." "Others besides the official ten witnesses had also assembled,"[4] out of curiosity, no doubt, and to learn the news of what might be taking place.

"My people." Some have expressed wonder at this, because the Bethlehemites were, in a sense, as much the people of the near-kinsman, as they were of Boaz. However, the prominence, wealth and age of Boaz had endowed him with a patriarchal status that did not pertain to the near kinsman.

"I will redeem it." Why not? Indeed, this would have been quite a windfall. Naomi was a poor widow and probably could not command a very high price for the land; and besides that, in the year of Jubilee, which might not have been very far away, it would revert, theoretically, to Elimelech's heirs. but, since he had no heirs, it would have remained in the near kinsman's possession! It is not hard to see that Boaz was handling this situation with masterful skill and discernment. He had no doubt anticipated this answer.