Introduction

Ruth and Boaz at the threshing floor.

Verses
1Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?
2Now isn’t Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens you were? Behold, he will be winnowing barley tonight on the threshing floor.
3Therefore wash yourself, anoint yourself, get dressed, and go down to the threshing floor; but don’t make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.
4It shall be, when he lies down, that you shall note the place where he is lying. Then you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lay down. Then he will tell you what to do.”
5She said to her, “All that you say, I will do.”
6She went down to the threshing floor, and did everything that her mother-in-law told her.
7When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. She came softly, uncovered his feet, and laid down.
8At midnight, the man was startled and turned himself; and behold, a woman lay at his feet.
9He said, “Who are you?”
She answered, “I am Ruth your servant. Therefore spread the corner of your garment over your servant; for you are a near kinsman.”
10He said, “You are blessed by the LORD, my daughter. You have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, because you didn’t follow young men, whether poor or rich.
11Now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do to you all that you say; for all the city of my people knows that you are a worthy woman.
12Now it is true that I am a near kinsman. However, there is a kinsman nearer than I.
13Stay this night, and in the morning, if he will perform for you the part of a kinsman, good. Let him do the kinsman’s duty. But if he will not do the duty of a kinsman for you, then I will do the duty of a kinsman for you, as the LORD lives. Lie down until the morning.”
14She lay at his feet until the morning, then she rose up before one could discern another. For he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.”
15He said, “Bring the mantle that is on you, and hold it.” She held it; and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her; then he went into the city.
16When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did it go, my daughter?”
She told her all that the man had done for her.
17She said, “He gave me these six measures of barley; for he said, ‘Don’t go empty to your mother-in-law.’ ”
18Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know what will happen; for the man will not rest until he has settled this today.”

Questions

1. What does Naomi tell Ruth to do?

v 3 and 4 Therefore wash yourself, anoint yourself, get dressed, and go down to the threshing floor; but don’t make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. It shall be, when he lies down, that you shall note the place where he is lying. Then you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lay down. Then he will tell you what to do.”

2. What does Ruth ask Boaz to do for her?

v 9 ... "I am Ruth your servant. Therefore spread the corner of your garment over your servant; for you are a near kinsman."

(She is asking Boaz to marry her.)

3. What does Boaz tell Ruth about him doing the duty of a kinsman?

v 12 and 13 Now it is true that I am a near kinsman. However, there is a kinsman nearer than I. Stay this night, and in the morning, if he will perform for you the part of a kinsman, good. Let him do the kinsman’s duty. But if he will not do the duty of a kinsman for you, then I will do the duty of a kinsman for you, ...

Summary Points

  • v 1 to 5 Naomi tells Ruth to go to the threshing floor and lie down at Boaz's feet. He will then tell her about acting as a near kinsman or near relative
  • v 6 to 13 Boaz agrees to act as a kinsman (redeemer) but points out that there is a closer relative who must be asked first
  • v 14 to 18 In the morning Boaz sends a gift of barley to Naomi, who tells Ruth to wait and see what will happen

Timeline 1100 BC

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