Matthew Henry Commentary Ruth 1:1-5

"And it came to pass in the days when the judges judged, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. And Elimelech, Naomi`s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them 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. And Mahlon and Chilion died both of them; and the woman was left of her two children and of her husband." — Ruth 1:1-5 (ASV)

Elimelech's care to provide for his family should not be blamed; but his removal into the country of Moab could not be justified. And that removal ended in the ruin of his family.

It is folly to think of escaping the cross that, being laid in our path, we ought to take up. Changing our place seldom mends the situation.

Those who lead young people into bad company, and take them away from the regular observance of public ordinances, though they may think them well-principled and armed against temptation, do not know what the end will be.

It does not appear that the women Elimelech's sons married had converted to the Jewish religion.

Earthly trials or enjoyments are short-lived. Death continually removes people of every age and situation and mars all our outward comforts: we cannot too strongly prefer those advantages that will last forever.