Author
—
Written
c. 1011–931 BC
Chapters
4
Audience
The nation of Israel
Naomi loses her husband and two sons in Moab, leaving her desolate.
Chapter 1Read in Bible
Ruth pledges unfailing loyalty to Naomi and they return together to Bethlehem.
Chapter 1 → Chapter 6Read in Bible
Ruth gleans in the fields of Boaz, who shows her remarkable kindness and provision.
Chapter 2 → Chapter 1Read in Bible
Naomi devises a plan and Ruth appeals to Boaz as her kinsman-redeemer at the threshing floor.
Chapter 3 → Chapter 1Read in Bible
Boaz legally secures the right of redemption at the city gate and takes Ruth as his wife.
Chapter 4 → Chapter 1Read in Bible
Ruth bears a son named Obed, restoring Naomi's joy and establishing the lineage leading to King David.
Chapter 4 → Chapter 13Read in Bible
"But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'"
Ruth 1:16"May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."
Ruth 2:12"He asked, 'Who are you?' 'I am your servant Ruth,' she said. 'Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.'"
Ruth 3:9"The women living there said, 'Naomi has a son!' And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David."
Ruth 4:17The book of Ruth tells the story of a Moabite widow who forsakes her homeland to remain loyal to her Israelite mother-in-law Naomi, ultimately finding refuge and redemption through Boaz, a kinsman-redeemer. The narrative powerfully illustrates God's providential care for the faithful and his covenant love (hesed) at work through ordinary human relationships. Theologically, Ruth highlights the inclusion of Gentiles in Israel's story and bridges the patriarchal era to the Davidic monarchy through Ruth's place in the lineage of King David.