The Bible in a Nutshell IV: Ruth & 1st Samuel

The Old Testament pauses briefly and pulls away from the big picture to focus in on a woman who would be King David's great-grand mother, and thus included in the lineage of Jesus. From there, the book of Samuel will begin to describe Israel's transition from theocracy tp monarchy.

Ruth

The story of Ruth is a narrative set during the times when the Judges ruled over Israel whose purpose is to depict God's redemptive plan for man, as well as give a snapshot of the lineage of King David and thus Jesus. Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah were widows traveling to Israel from Moab, the home of Ruth and Orpah. Naomi's husband had left Israel because of a famine but died in Moab and his sons soon died also, leaving two more widows. Ruth desired to follow Naomi and merge into the people of Israel, while Orpah went back to her hometown. Ruth not only took up the culture, but she also accepted Jehovah as her God. As a widow, the law made provision for Ruth to glean in the fields. Her relative, Boaz, noticed her in his field and made sure his workers left extra handfuls for Ruth. Naomi instructed Ruth to go and lay at the feet of Boaz while he was asleep, and when he awoke she was to inform him that he was her kinsman redeemer. Boaz accepted his responsibility and they were married.

1 Samuel