Matthew Henry Commentary Ruth 4:13-22

"So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in unto her, and Jehovah gave her conception, and she bare a son. And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be Jehovah, who hath not left thee this day without a near kinsman; and let his name be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of life, and a nourisher of thine old age, for thy daughter-in-law, who loveth thee, who is better to thee than seven sons, hath borne him. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. And the women her neighbors gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez begat Hezron, and Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, and Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, and Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David." — Ruth 4:13-22 (ASV)

Ruth bore a son, through whom thousands and myriads were born to God. In being the lineal ancestor of Christ, she was instrumental in the happiness of all who will be saved by Him—even of us Gentiles, as well as those of Jewish descent. She was a witness for God to the Gentile world that He had not utterly forsaken them, but that in due time they would become one with His chosen people and partake of His salvation.

Prayer to God accompanied the marriage, and praise to Him accompanied the birth of the child. What a pity it is that pious language is not more used among Christians, or that it is allowed to fall into formality! Here is the descent of David from Ruth. And the time came when Bethlehem-Judah displayed greater wonders than those in the history of Ruth, when the outcast babe of another forlorn woman of the same lineage appeared, directing the plans of the Roman master of the world, and drawing princes and wise men from the east, with treasures of gold, and frankincense, and myrrh to His feet.

His name shall endure for ever, and all nations shall call Him blessed. In that Seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.