A Summary of the Book of Ruth The book of Ruth is found in the Old Testament of the Bible, it is one of the five scrolls. It takes place in a time of Jewish history when the judges ruled over Israel from 1370 to 1010 BC. The story tells of Naomi wife of Elimelech of the tribe of Judah. Elimelech moved his family from the Promised Land to Moab during a severe famine. Naomi stayed in land of Moab for 10 years, during this time she lost her husband and two sons. Naomi returned to her hometown of Bethlehem impoverished. Her Moabite daughter in law Ruth insist on following Naomi proclaiming your people will be my people, your home my home, your God will be my God. Out of concern for her mother in law, Ruth begins to glean in the fields. She happens to be gleaning in the field of a wealthy kinsman named Boaz. At this point Ruth is unaware that Boaz can redeem her. Boaz has heard of Ruths kindness towards Naomi and treats her well ordering his servants to leave a little grain behind and to not rebuke her but to treat her well. By the end of the harvest Naomi knows Boaz is a near redeemer kinsman and advises Ruth to seek out Boaz by night on the threshing floor. Ruth entreats Boaz to accept responsibility of the next of kin and to redeem the fortunes of the family. Boaz agrees, but does not dishonor Ruth on the threshing floor for he knows there is a kinsman nearer then he. After dutifully asserting that the nearer kinsman will not take responsibility, Boaz lawfully takes Ruth for his wife. She bears a son, who is given to Naomi. The childs name is Obed. He is to become the Grandfather of King David.Ruth was a woman of courage, faith, and loyalty. She proves this by following her mother- in- law into a land hostile to the Moabite people. Ruth is faithful to her mother in law even though she could bear no more sons. Ruth proves her loyalty by not gleaning in any other field and going to the threshing floor of Boaz as Naomi asked her to. Scr...
