Ruth 1

King James Version

Full text for Ruth Chapter 1

1¶ Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

2And the name of the man [was] Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

3And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

4And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one [was] Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.

5And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

6¶ Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.

7Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.

8And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

9The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each [of you] in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

10And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.

11And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? [are] there yet [any more] sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

12Turn again, my daughters, go [your way]; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, [if] I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;

13Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.

14And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.

15And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

16And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, [or] to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people [shall be] my people, and thy God my God:

17Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, [if ought] but death part thee and me.

18When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

19¶ So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, [Is] this Naomi?

20And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

21I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why [then] call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?

22So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

During a famine in Bethlehem, Elimelech, Naomi, and their two sons migrated to Moab. After Elimelech and both sons died, leaving Naomi a widow, she resolved to return to Judah. Though her daughter-in-law Orpah returned to her people, Ruth pledged unwavering loyalty to Naomi, her people, and her God. They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest, where Naomi expressed her deep sorrow, asking to be called "Mara."

Medium Summary

In the era of the judges, a severe famine compelled Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, to leave Bethlehem-judah and sojourn in Moab. While there, Elimelech died, and his sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. After about ten years, both Mahlon and Chilion also died, leaving Naomi bereft of husband and sons. Hearing that the LORD had provided for Judah, Naomi decided to return home, accompanied by her daughters-in-law. On the journey, Naomi urged them to return to their own people, and Orpah departed. However, Ruth steadfastly vowed to remain with Naomi, embracing her people and her God, and they arrived in Bethlehem at the commencement of the barley harvest. Upon their arrival, Naomi lamented her bitter circumstances, requesting to be called "Mara."

Long Summary

The first chapter of Ruth opens during a period of famine in Bethlehem-judah, which prompted Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, to migrate to the country of Moab. While dwelling there, Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died, leaving her with her two sons. Subsequently, the sons took wives from the women of Moab, named Orpah and Ruth, and the family continued in Moab for approximately ten years. Tragically, both Mahlon and Chilion also died, leaving Naomi a widow, bereft of her husband and both sons. Hearing that the LORD had blessed His people with food in Judah, Naomi determined to return from Moab, accompanied by her two daughters-in-law. On their journey, Naomi compassionately urged Orpah and Ruth to return to their mothers' homes, praying for the LORD's kindness upon them and acknowledging her inability to provide them with new husbands. Orpah, after much weeping, kissed Naomi and returned to her people and her gods. However, Ruth steadfastly refused to leave, declaring her profound commitment to follow Naomi, adopt her people as her own, and embrace her God, even unto death. Witnessing Ruth's unwavering resolve, Naomi ceased to dissuade her. Thus, Naomi and Ruth the Moabitess journeyed together until they reached Bethlehem. Their arrival caused a stir among the city's inhabitants, who questioned if it was indeed Naomi. Overwhelmed by her losses, Naomi requested to be called "Mara," signifying her bitterness, for she felt the Almighty had dealt severely with her, bringing her back empty after she had departed full. Their return coincided with the beginning of the barley harvest.

Core Concepts

  • Famine and MigrationA severe famine in Bethlehem-judah compels Elimelech's family to seek sustenance and refuge in the foreign land of Moab, highlighting the economic hardships of the era.
  • Profound LossNaomi experiences successive tragedies with the deaths of her husband Elimelech and then both her sons, Mahlon and Chilion, leaving her a childless widow in a foreign land.
  • Ruth's Unwavering LoyaltyRuth demonstrates extraordinary faithfulness by pledging to remain with Naomi, forsaking her own people and gods, and committing to Naomi's God and people.
  • Naomi's Bitterness (Mara)Upon returning to Bethlehem, Naomi expresses her deep sorrow and feeling of divine affliction by requesting to be called "Mara," meaning bitter.
  • Divine ProvidenceNaomi repeatedly references the "hand of the LORD" and the "Almighty" in relation to her afflictions, demonstrating a theological understanding of divine involvement in her suffering, even if perceived as negative.
  • Return to HomelandNaomi's decision to return to Bethlehem, prompted by news of the LORD's provision, signifies a hope for renewed sustenance and a reconnection to her heritage, arriving at the beginning of the barley harvest.