Ruth

Famine drives Elimelech, Naomi, and their sons from Bethlehem to Moab, where Elimelech dies and the sons marry Moabites Orpah and Ruth. After the sons also die childless, Naomi returns to Bethlehem. Orpah stays, but Ruth pledges lifelong loyalty—“Your people shall be my people, your God my God.” They arrive at barley harvest; Naomi, now calling herself Mara, laments returning empty.

To provide for Naomi, Ruth gleans grain and ‘happens’ into the field of Boaz, a wealthy kinsman-redeemer of Elimelech. Impressed by her devotion, Boaz ensures her safety, grants special gleaning privileges, and blesses her. Ruth brings home an ephah of barley; Naomi praises God’s kindness and identifies Boaz as a close redeemer, urging Ruth to stay in his fields through barley and wheat harvests.

Naomi seeks security for Ruth: she washes, anoints, and secretly uncovers Boaz’s feet at the threshing floor, requesting his protecting ‘wing’ as kinsman-redeemer. Boaz esteems her virtue, notes a nearer redeemer, but promises action. Before dawn he sends her home with six measures of barley. Naomi counsels patience, confident Boaz will resolve the matter the same day.

At Bethlehem’s gate Boaz assembles elders and the nearer redeemer, who relinquishes his right upon learning marriage to Ruth is required. Through sandal exchange Boaz legally redeems Elimelech’s land and marries Ruth. The people bless them with fruitfulness like Rachel, Leah, and Perez. Ruth bears Obed, whom Naomi nurses; neighbors proclaim him redeemer for Naomi. Obed becomes father of Jesse, grandfather of King David, linking Ruth the Moabite to Israel’s royal line.