Commentary Notes on the Whole Bible by John Wesley: Ruth.

Glean - Which was permitted to the poor, and the stranger, Deut. xxiv, 19, nor was she ashamed to confess her poverty, nor would she eat the bread of idleness.

In whose sight - For though it was their duty to permit this, yet she thought it might perhaps be denied her; at least, that it became her modestly and humbly to acknowledge their kindness herein.

Verse 3.

Her hap - It was a chance in reference to second causes, but ordered by God's providence. God wisely orders small events, even those that seem altogether contingent. Many a great affair is brought about by a little turn, fortuitous as to men, but designed by God.

Verse 4.

Said, etc. - They expressed their piety, even in their civil conversation, and worldly transactions; which now so many are ashamed of.

Verse 7.

I pray - She did not boldly intrude herself, but modestly ask leave of us.

'Till now - She is not retired through idleness, for she hath been diligent and constant in her labours.

The house - In the little house or tent, which was set up in the fields at these times, and was necessary in those hot countries, where the labourers might retire for a little repose or repast. Being weary with her continued labours, she comes hither to take a little rest.

Verse 8.

Maidens - Not by the young men, to avoid both occasion of sin, and matter of scandal. Herein he shews his piety and prudence.

Verse 9.

Touch - So as to offer any incivility or injury to thee.

Verse 10.

Fell - This was the humblest posture of reverence, either civil when performed to men, or religious, when to God.

Take knowledge - That is, shew any respect and kindness to me.

Verse 12.

Wings - That is, protection and care. An allusion either to hens, which protect and cherish their young ones under their wings; or to the wings of the Cherubim, between which God dwelt.

Verse 13.

Tho' I be not - I humbly implore the continuance of thy good opinion of me, though I do not deserve it, being a person more mean, necessitous, and, obscure, a stranger, and one born of heathen parents, and not of the holy and honourable people of Israel, as they are.

Verse 14.

She sat - Not with or among them, but at some little distance from them, as one inferior to them. It is no disparagement to the finest hand, to be reached forth to the needy.

Verse 17.

An Ephah - About a bushel.

Verse 18.

Reserved - At dinner, after she had eaten and was sufficed, or satisfied.

Verse 19.

Where hast thou gleaned today? - It is a good question to ask ourselves in the evening, "Where have I gleaned today?" What improvements have I made in grace or knowledge? What have I learned or done, which will turn to account?

Verse 20.

To the dead - That is, which he formerly shewed to those who are now dead, my husband and his sons whilst they were living, and now continues to us.

Verse 21.

Harvest - Both barley-harvest, and wheat-harvest. She tells what kindness Boaz had shewed her; but not, how he had commended her. Humility teaches not only not to praise ourselves, but not to be forward in repeating the praise which others have given us.

Verse 22.

Other field - Whereby thou wilt both expose thyself to many inconveniences, which thou mayst expect from strangers; and incur his displeasure, as if thou didst despise his kindness.

RUTH CHAPTER 3

The directions Naomi gives to Ruth, ver. 1-5. Her punctual observance of them, ver. 6, 7. The honourable treatment which Boaz gave her, ver. 8-15. Her return to Naomi, ver. 16-18.

Verse 1.

Rest - A life of rest, and comfort, and safety, under the care of a good husband.

Verse 2.

Threshing-floor - Which was in a place covered at the top, but open elsewhere, whither Ruth might easily come. And this work of winnowing corn was usually ended with a feast.

Verse 3.

Raiment - Thy best raiment.

Known - In so familiar a way, as thou mayest do hereafter.

Verse 4.

Uncover his feet - Remove the clothes that were upon his feet; thereby to awaken him.

Will tell thee - What course thou shalt take to obtain that marriage which belongs unto thee.

Verse 8.

At midnight - He did not discover her sooner.

Verse 9.

Spread thy Skirt - That is, take me to be thy wife, and perform the duty of an husband to me.

Verse 10.

Shewed kindness - 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.

Followedst not - To seek thy marriage here, or in thy own country, as thou wouldst have done if thou hadst not preferred obedience to God's command, before pleasing thyself.

Verse 13.

Perform, etc. - Take thee to wife, to raise up seed to his brother. Bishop Hall sums up the matter thus. "Boaz, instead of touching her as a wanton, blesseth her as a father, encourages her as a friend, promises her as a kinsman, rewards her as a patron, and sends her away laden with hopes and gifts, no less chast, but more happy than she came. O admirable temperance, worthy the progenitor of him, in whose lips and heart there was no guile!"

Verse 14.

Let it not, etc. - He takes care to preserve not only his conscience towards God, but his reputation, and hers also, among men.

Verse 15.

Veil - Or, the apron.

Verse 16.

Who art thou? - This is not a question of doubting, but of wonder, as if she had said, Art thou in very deed my daughter? I can hardly believe it. How camest thou hither in this manner, and thus early?

RUTH CHAPTER 4

The next kinsman refuses to marry Ruth, ver. 1-8. Boaz marries her, ver. 9-12. Their issue, ver. 13-22.

Verse 2.

Ten men - To be witnesses: for though two or three witnesses were sufficient, yet in weightier matters they used more. And ten was the usual number among the Jews, in causes of matrimony and divorce, and translation of inheritances; who were both Judges of the causes, and witnesses of the fact.

Verse 3.

Naomi - Both Naomi and Ruth had an interest in this land during their lives, but he mentions only Naomi, because all was done by her direction; lest the mention of Ruth should raise a suspicion of the necessity of his marrying Ruth, before he had given his answer to the first proposition.

Verse 5.

Buy it - According to the law, Deut. xxv, 5.

To raise,etc. - To revive his name, which was buried with his body, by raising up a seed to him, to be called by his name.

Verse 6.

Mar - Either because having no children of his own, he might have one, and but one son by Ruth, who, though he should carry away his inheritance, yet would not bear his name, but the name of Ruth's husband; and so by preserving another man's name, he should lose his own. Or, because as his inheritance would be but very little increased by this marriage, so it might be much diminished by being divided amongst his many children, which he possibly had already, and might probably have more by Ruth.

My right - Which I freely resign to thee.

Verse 7.

All things - That is, in all alienation of lands. So that it is no wonder if this ceremony differ a little from that, Deut. xxv, 9, because that concerned only one case, but this is more general. Besides, he pleads not the command of God, but only ancient custom, for this practice.

Gave it - He who relinquished his right to another, plucked off his own shoe and gave it to him. This was symbolical, and a significant and convenient ceremony, as if he said, take this shoe wherewith I used to go and tread upon my land, and in that shoe do thou enter upon it, and take possession of it.

This was a testimony - This was admitted for sufficient evidence in all such cases.

Verse 10.

From the gate - That is, from among the inhabitants dwelling within the gate of this city, which was Bethlehem-judah.

Verse 11.

Rachel and Leah - Amiable and fruitful. These two are singled out, because they were of a foreign original, and yet ingrafted into God's people, as Ruth was; and because of that fertility which God vouchsafed unto them above their predecessors, Sarah and Rebecca. Rachel is placed before Leah, because she was his most lawful, and best-beloved wife.

Did build - That is, increase the posterity. Ephratah and Bethlehem - Two names of one and the same place.

Verse 12.

Pharez - As honourable and numerous as his family was; whom, though be also was born of a stranger, God so blessed, that his family was one of the five families to which all the tribe of Judah belonged, and the progenitor of the inhabitants of this city.

Verse 13.

Took Ruth - Which he might do, though she was a Moabite, because the prohibition against marrying such, is to be restrained to those who continue Heathens; whereas Ruth was a sincere proselyte and convert to the God of Israel. Thus he that forsakes all for Christ, shall find more than all with him.

Verse 14.

Which hath not, etc. - The words may be rendered, Which hath not made, or suffered thy kinsman to fail thee; that is, to refuse the performances of his duty to thee and thine, as the other kinsman did.

Famous - Hebrew, and his name shall be famous in Israel, for this noble and worthy action.

Verse 15.

Thy life - That is, of the comfort of thy life.

Born him - Or, hath born to him; that is, to thy kinsman a son. Better than seven sons - See how God sometimes makes up the want of those relations from whom we expected most comfort, in those from whom we expected least! The bonds of love prove stronger than those of nature.

Verse 17.

A name - That is, they gave her advice about his name; for otherwise they had no power or right to do so.

Obed - A servant, to thee, to nourish, and comfort, and assist thee; which duty children owe to their progenitors.