Introduction

Ruth 1 introduces the story of Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah, set during the tumultuous time of the judges. The chapter reveals a series of tragedies that strip Naomi of her family and livelihood, leaving her to return to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law Ruth, who pledges unwavering loyalty.

Key Points

• Synopsis: Naomi faced tragic losses and returned to Bethlehem in despair, while Ruth decided radically to stay loyal to Naomi and embrace her faith, setting the stage for redemption.
• Themes: More often than not, we experience loss as a result of faithlessness, and now have the opportunity to faithfully trust the LORD in hardship.

Ruth 1:1a

In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land…

The period of the judges was marked by social, political, and spiritual chaos (Judges 19–21). Israel repeatedly rebelled against God’s rule, and famine was a consequence of their disobedience (Lev 26:18–20). Israel, chosen by God to flourish under His blessing, has instead become a land of scarcity. This begs the question: Where is God in all of this?

Ruth 1:1b

…and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.

Bethlehem means “House of Bread,” yet it is suffering from famine. Moab, on the other hand, is an enemy nation cursed by God for ten generations (Deut 23:3–6). A man and his family leave the “House of Bread” due to famine and seek refuge in Moab. To an Israelite listener, this would be shocking—wasn’t Moab the land of Israel’s enemies? The irony is striking, and the decision feels either deeply troubling or painfully relatable.

Ruth 1:2

The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there.

Names often carry significant meaning in Hebrew culture:

• Chilion = “Destruction”
• Elimelech = “God is King”
• Naomi = “Pleasantness”
• Mahlon = “Sickness”

A man named “God is King” leads his family—Pleasantness, Sickness, and Destruction—away from the Promised Land into enemy territory. What could go wrong?

Ruth 1:3–5

But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.

God warned Israel against intermarrying with foreign nations because they would turn their hearts away from Him (Deut 7:3–5; Num 25:1–5). Naomi’s sons do exactly that—further distancing the family from God’s covenant. First, Elimelech dies. Then his sons take Moabite wives, and after ten years, they die too. Now Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth are left vulnerable—widows in a patriarchal society with no provider or protector.

Ruth 1:6–7

Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the LORD had visited his people and given them food. So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.

Returning to Bethlehem meant a dangerous 80-kilometer journey on foot through lawless lands, with two foreign women at risk of harassment (Judges 19:22–26). After a decade in Moab, Naomi hears that God has restored food in Bethlehem. She sets out toward the Promised Land—the land she once forsook—risking the unknown for the chance of survival.

Ruth 1:8–9

But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The LORD grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband!” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept.

Widows depended on husbands or sons for provision (Deut 14:28–29). Naomi, believing she has nothing left to offer, urges Orpah and Ruth to return to Moab, hoping they will find security in remarriage. Despite their loyalty, Naomi releases her daughters-in-law from obligation, blessing them for their kindness. The women weep—this is a moment of deep sorrow and love.

Ruth 1:9–13a

Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. And they said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons, would you therefore wait till they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying?…”

A husband is not only crucial as the provider and protector of his household (Pr 31:23; Neh 4:14), but also carries the bloodline for future generations, sufficiently crucial for levirate marriage to be instituted civil law (Dt 25:5–6). Naomi hopelessly discourages her daughters-in-law from following her, since their hope for provision and protection—and even a potential child to continue the bloodline—was triply gone: 1) Naomi is barren, 2) Naomi is unlikely to remarry, and 3) If Naomi had sons, her daughters-in-law would be too old to marry them.

Ruth 1:13b–14

…“No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the LORD has gone out against me.” Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

Background on Moabite names:

• Ruth means “friend.”
• Orpah means “stiff-necked.”

Orpah chooses the logical path—she returns home. But Ruth clings to Naomi, refusing to leave. This moment foreshadows a decision that will change her life forever.

Ruth 1:15–16a; 18

And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you…” And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.

And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you…” And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more. Naomi tries to persuade Ruth to return, but to no avail. Instead of returning to her mother’s house to be cared for, Ruth surprisingly pledges loyal love to Naomi, to stand with her no matter what (1:16–17).

Ruth 1:16–17

But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”

To follow the LORD (YHWH), Ruth must renounce her Moabite gods (Ex 20:2–6). This is a radical, life-altering decision. Ruth does the unthinkable—she pledges lifelong loyalty to Naomi, Israel, and the LORD. Unlike Elimelech, who left the Promised Land, Ruth is stepping into it by faith.

Ruth 1:19b–21

And the women said, “Is this Naomi?” She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the LORD has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”

Background on Hebrew words:

• Naomi means “pleasantness.”
• Mara means “bitterness.”

Naomi believes her suffering is proof that God has turned against her. She left full, but has returned empty. Yet, as the original hearers would recognize, she is not truly empty—Ruth, standing beside her, will become the very means of her redemption.

Ruth 1:19a; 22

So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, “Is this Naomi?”…So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

The timing is significant—barley harvest marks a season of provision and new beginnings. After tragedy and despair, Naomi and Ruth return at the beginning of harvest. This small detail hints at what is to come: restoration, redemption, and a future beyond what they could imagine.

Conclusion

Ruth 1 sets the stage for a story of redemption amid despair and tragedy. Naomi’s grief and Ruth’s loyalty highlight the tension of human suffering and divine providence. Though Naomi returns to Bethlehem bitter and broken, Ruth’s steadfastness foreshadows hope and restoration.

Summary

1. A famine drives Elimelech and his family from Bethlehem to Moab, leading to loss and tragedy (1:1–5).
2. Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem after hearing that the LORD has restored food to the land (1:6–7).
3. Naomi urges her daughters-in-law to return to their homes, but Ruth vows to stay with her (1:8–18).
4. Ruth pledges loyalty to Naomi, her people, and her God, demonstrating steadfast love (1:16–17).
5. Naomi returns to Bethlehem, expressing bitterness over her hardships but accompanied by Ruth (1:19–22).