_A.M. 2692. B.C. 1312._ The directions Naomi gives to Ruth, Ruth 3:1. Her punctual observance of them, Ruth 3:6; Ruth 3:7. The honourable treatment which Boaz gave her, Ruth 3:8. Her return to Naomi, Ruth 3:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shall I not seek rest for thee?_ A settlement in a house of thy own, and thereby rest in comfort and safety, under the care of a good husband. _He winnoweth barley to-night_ This, it is probable, was commonly done in the evening, when the heat of the day was over, and cool breezes began to rise; _i... [ Continue Reading ]
_Put on thy raiment_ Thy best raiment. _Make not thyself known _ In so familiar a way as thou mayest do hereafter. “It is not easy to tell,” says Dr. Dodd, “at this distance of time, and amid this difference of manners, why Naomi advised Ruth to this secret method of proceeding. One would have thoug... [ Continue Reading ]
_Uncover his feet_ Remove the clothes which are upon his feet; thereby to awake him; _and lay thee down_ She was not to lie down by his side, for that would have been immodest, but at his feet, in the posture of an humble supplicant. Had Ruth acted in any respect that in those days was judged indece... [ Continue Reading ]
_And his heart was merry_ Hebrew, יישׂב לבו, _iitab, libbo, his heart was good_, that is, cheerful and thankful for the plenty which the Lord had sent. _He went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn_ In his clothes, doubtless; not going as usual to his house and bed, but reposing himself here,... [ Continue Reading ]
_At midnight_ He did not discover her sooner; _the man was afraid_ Feeling something unusual at his feet. _Behold a woman lay at his feet_ He perceived by her clothes, and, when she spake, by her voice, that it was a woman. _Spread therefore thy skirt over thy handmaid_ A kind of proverbial expressi... [ Continue Reading ]
_More kindness in the latter end than in the beginning_ Both to thy deceased husband, the continuance of whose name and memory thou seekest, and to thy mother-in-law, whose commands thou hast punctually obeyed. The former kindness which Ruth had shown to the family of Boaz was in her love and fideli... [ Continue Reading ]
_And now, my daughter, fear not_ No words can more evidently express any thing than this and the following verse do, that Ruth did nothing immodest. _Howbeit, there is a kinsman nearer than I_ He does not absolutely refuse to grant her petition, but, influenced by a strict regard to the law of Moses... [ Continue Reading ]
_She lay at his feet till the morning_ Having no other design but only to implore his justice and kindness unto her deceased husband. _He said, Let it not be known_ He takes care to preserve not only his conscience toward God, but his reputation and hers also among men.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who art thou, my daughter?_ Or rather, _Is it thou, my daughter? He said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law_ There is no mention made before of Boaz thus speaking to her, but it is not unusual for the sacred writers, in the relation of a fact or event, to omit many little circumstances whic... [ Continue Reading ]