The Book of the Bible known as 'Ruth' is part of the Old Testament. It follows the book 'Judges' and chronicles events of long ago "...when judges ruled in Israel".
As a
result of a famine a man from Bethlehem left that city and moved his
wife and
sons to the
land of Moab.
Sometime later this man dies, leaving his wife, Naomi and two sons. The two sons later married two local women. One of these women was Ruth. Unfortunately, Naomi's two sons also pre-deceased her. She decided to return to Israel with her daughers-in-law. This decision was prompted by news of the ending of the famine in Israel.
During the journey to Israel, Naomi insisted that her daughters-in-law return to their homeland, Moab. However Ruth insisted on staying with Naomi.
After arriving in Bethlehem, a wealthy man named Boaz became enamoured of Ruth, partly because he was impressed by her loyalty and devotion to Naomi. Boaz allowed her to work in one of his
barley fields, encouraging his men to assist. As a result, Ruth was able to carry home a whole bushel of barley to Naomi.
Ruth continued to work the fields of Boaz, and worked happily until the barley and wheat seasons were finished. With Naomi's advice and help, Ruth presented herself to Boaz as a prospective wife.
Boaz at first allowed other wealthy men the option to marry Ruth (as a condition of buying land from Naomi). When the others baulked about this condition, Boaz married Ruth himself and together they had a child. Ruth did this for Naomi (as any children of the union would inherit the land) and herself. It appeared to all that this union had God's blessing and would result in a famous person of Israel.
This came true, as the son of Ruth and Boaz was Obed, the grandfather of King David.
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