Charles Ellicott Commentary Ruth 2
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Ruth 2
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Ruth 2
"And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband`s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz." — Ruth 2:1 (ASV)
Boaz. —It has been already said that if there are any gaps in the genealogy, these are most probably to be referred to its earlier portion. According to the line, however, given in Ruth 4:18 and following, Boaz is grandson of the Nahshon who was prince of the tribe of Judah during the wanderings in the desert and son of Salmon and Rahab of Jericho. It may be noted that the difficulty of date may be lessened by supposing that in the last two generations we have children of their fathers’ old age.
"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter." — Ruth 2:2 (ASV)
Let me now go.—The character of Ruth comes out strongly here. She does not hesitate to face the hard work necessary for her mother-in-law; nor is she too proud to condescend to a work which might perhaps seem humiliating. Nor does she hanker after her old home in the land of Moab and the plenty there. Energy, honesty of purpose, and loyalty are alike evinced here.
"And she went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on the portion of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech." — Ruth 2:3 (ASV)
Her hap was to light on. —Literally, her hap happened. A chance in outward appearance, yet a clear shaping of her course by unseen hands. Her steps were divinely guided to a certain field, so that God’s good purposes would be worked out.
"And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, Jehovah be with you. And they answered him, Jehovah bless thee." — Ruth 2:4 (ASV)
The Lord be with you. —There is a trace here of the good feeling prevailing between Boaz and his servants. Though he has come to his field to supervise the work, it is not in a fault-finding spirit, but with true courtesy and friendliness; nor is it a frivolous jesting manner that he displays, but with gravity and soberness, he conducts himself as a true gentleman in his dealings with those of lower standing.
"And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab: And she said, Let me glean, I pray you, and gather after the reapers among the sheaves. So she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, save that she tarried a little in the house." — Ruth 2:6-7 (ASV)
The steward gives a detailed account of Ruth. She is “the (rather, “a”) Moabitish young woman.” She is a foreigner; as such, she had a special claim to gleaning (Leviticus 19:9–10). She is the daughter-in-law of Naomi; and he adds that her behaviour has been praiseworthy, for she asked permission before beginning to glean, and she has worked hard all day, except for a short interval of rest. It would seem that Boaz’s visit to the field occurred when Ruth was then resting: “This is her resting briefly in the house”; apparently, this was some simple shelter from the heat set up in the field, like the lodge mentioned in Isaiah 1:8.
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