Matthew Poole and continuators on Ruth 1

NOw it came to pass in the days when the Judges Ruled , 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.

Which is noted as the cause of the following Famine, because in much of that time they were guilty of great defection from God. But under which of the Judges this happened, Scripture being silent, it seems presumptuous to determine; nor is it necessary to know what is said about this matter from the Genealogy mentioned, Chap. 4. 18, &c. it will be most proper to consider it there.

Or, in that land; to wit, of Canaan.

A Fruitful Land, beyond Iordan, Eastward.

Marginal references: Heb. judged.; 2 King. 8. 1.

2 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 e: and they came into the countrey of Moab, and continued there .

So called, because this Bethlehem is otherwise called Ephrath or Ephratha, Gen. 35. 19. Mich. 5. 2. either from Caleb's Wife of that name, 1 Chron. 2. 19. and 4. 4. or from the fertility of the Soyl about it; which title may therefore be used here, to shew the greatness of the Famine, which affected even fertile parts.

To wit, during the Famine.

Marginal references: Heb. were. Numb. 9. 21.

4 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 .

Either these were Proselytes when they Married them, which may well be doubted, from v. 15. or they sinned in marrying them, as appears from Deut. 7. 3. and 23. 3. Ezra 9. 1, 2. Nehem. 13. 23. and therefore were punished with short Life, and want of Issue, v. 5, 19, 21.

As long as the Famine lasted.

6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab, how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread .

i. e. Food, so she staid no longer there than necessity forced her.

8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mothers house : the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead , and with me.

Not that they wanted Fathers, Ruth 2. 11. but because Daughters used to converse more frequently with their Mothers, and to be most endeared to them, and to dwell in the same apartments with them, which then were distinct from those parts of the House where the Men dwealt.

With my Sons, your Husbands, whilest they lived.

Marginal references: See [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] 15.

9 The LORD grant you, that ye may find rest , each of you in the house of her husband: Then she kissed them , and they lift up their voice and wept.

i. e. A quiet and happy life, free from those cares, vexations, incumbrances, and troubles which Widows are in a special manner exposed unto.

As the manner there was when friends parted.

11 And Naomi said, Turn again my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any moe sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands ?

According to the Ancient Custome, Gen. 38. and the express Law of God, Deut. 25. 5 which doubtless she had acquainted them with before, among other branches of the Jewish Religion, wherein she did instruct them.

12 Turn again my daughters, go your way p, for I am too old to have an husband: if I should say, I have hope, if I should have a husband also to night, and should also bear sons:

n Qu. Why doth she disswade them from this journey, and not rather perswade them to go with her, and to embrace the Jewish Religion? Answ. 1. Possibly she thought such disswasion might be the best way to perswade them, as it oft happens; especially in that Sex. 2. She would not have them rashly and inconsiderately to embrace the Jewish Religion, in hopes of some advantage from it, which she justly thought they would be disappointed of; and withal, exposed to many straits and troubles, and on that occasion, revolt from the True Religon, which would be far worse than never to have embraced it. And therefore she doth justly, and wisely, and piously, in representing to them the truth of the business, and the outward inconveniences which would accompany the Change of their Place, and Religion; as also our Blessed Lord Christ did, Mat. 8. 20.

Marginal references: Or, if I were [illegible: 1 word] an hus [illegible: 1+ letters]d.

13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands ? nay, my daughters: for it grieveth me much for your sakes , that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.

It is unreasonable for me to expect it, or for you to perform it.

That you are left without the comfort of Husbands or Children; that I must part with such dear and affectionate Daughters; and that my circumstances are such, that I cannot invite, nor incourage you to go along with me. For her condition was so mean at this time, that Ruth when she came to her Mothers City, was forced to Glean for a living, Chap. 2. 2.

Marginal references: Heb. hope.; Heb. I have [illegible: 1 word] bitter [illegible: 1+ letters] ▪; Job 19. 21.

14 And they lift up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law , but Ruth clave unto her.

i. e. Departed from her with a kiss, as the manner was, Gen. 31. 28. 1 King. 19. 20.

15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods : return thou after thy sister in law.

Which she saith, partly to try Ruths sincerity and constancy; partly, that by upbraiding Orpah with her Idolatry, she might consequently turn her from it; and partly, that she might intimate to her, that if she went with her, she must embrace the True God and Religion.

Marginal references: See Jos. 24. 15. 2 King. 2. 2. L[illegible: 1+ letters]. 24. 28.

16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee, for whither thou goest, I will go: and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God :

I renounce those Idols which my Sister hath returned to, and I will Worship no other God but thine, who is indeed the onely True God.

Marginal references: Or, be not against me.

19 ¶ So they two went until they came to Bethlehem: and it came to pass when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi ?

Is this she that formerly lived in so much Plenty and Honour? Oh how marvellously is her condition changed, that she is returned in this forlorn and desolate condition!

Marginal references: That is the women.

20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi , call me Mara : for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

Which signifies pleasant, or chearful, or amiable.

Which signifies bitter or sorrowful.

Marginal references: That is pleasant.; That is bitter.

21 I went out full , and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me , and the Almighty hath afflicted me?

With my Husband and Sons, and a plentiful Estate for our support.

i. e. Hath born witness, as it were, in Judgment, and given Sentence against me, and declared my Sin by my Punishment.