2The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion— Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. 3Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years. 5Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.
1:2
The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion— Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there.
For financial reasons, Elimelech left Bethlehem for Moab. He took up residence in the Gentile land of Moab. The Moabites sought to curse Israel through Balaam (Numbers 22). God commanded that a Moabite should not enter the congregation of Israel (Deuteronomy 23:3).
1:3
Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.
Naomi’s sons sustained her financially after her husband’s death.
1:4
Now they took wives of the women of Moab:
It was against the Mosaic Law for Israelite men to marry Gentiles. There does not appear to be a prohibition of women marrying Moabites.
the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth.
Ruth was a Moabitess who married one of Naomi’s sons (Mahlon), an Israelite. It is interesting that the book of Ruth is named after a Gentile Moabitess. She became the great-grandmother of David (4:17).
And they dwelt there about ten years.
Her time in Moab was a bad experience for Naomi. Her husband intended to only “sojourn” there, but residence became a protracted experience.
1:5
Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.
A desperate situation for Naomi arose when her two sons died, leaving her without adequate income and destitute. We have a tragic picture of a woman left with her two daughters-in-law, without an adequate source of income.
PRINCIPLE:
God is at work in the darkest of times.
APPLICATION:
Death and depravity are stark realities of life. Gaping wounds come our way. When we are at the end of our tether, we must remember that God is on the other end! In the darkest of times God is at work.
Hi, Dr. Grant, thank you for your hard study in God’s word. Do you have a actual verse by verse
Commentary of the Entire Bible?? If not, do you think you will ever consider publishing one?
Sakeena, thanks for your suggestion. As you notice my commentaries are very detailed. For example, there are 480 studies of two pages each for the book of First Peter. I am currently writing Romans and at Romans 11 I have 440 studies. Thus, it is impossible for me to do every book in the Bile. However, I deeply appreciate your suggestion.
My is not a comment. I am having problem subscribing this wonderful site.Any solution?
Ama, thanks for your comment. We are having trouble with our subscription service. I am not sure how long it will take to fix it.
Dear brother
Your commentary doesn’t include 1st and 2nd Timothy. would you please include.
Stay blessed in the name of Jesus.
Tadesse,
It will take me over a year to do each of those books. However, I am working on Hebrews now, which will take another few months, then I will start Second Corinthians.
Dr. Richison, can you clear something up for me, in the book of Genesis 1:27, it talks about God creating man, male and female He created. Then in the Genesis 2:7 it talks about the creation of man again. Is Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:7 the same incident. I would really appreciate some clarity in this.
Mark, yes, they are the same event.