Ruth 1:1

Now it came to pass in the days. Occurs five times. Always denotes impending trouble, followed by happy deliverance. Compare Genesis 14:1 .Esther 1:1 .Isaiah 7:1 .Jeremiah 1:3 .

when the judges ruled. Doubtless, in the early days, before the sin of Judges 1:0 developed the later internal disorders, and outward oppressions.

a famine. See note on Genesis 12:10 .

country = fields.