Matthew Poole and continuators on Ruth 3:4

4 And it shall be, when he lieth down , that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in , and uncover his feet , and lay thee down, and he will tell thee what thou shalt do .

To rest or sleep, as upon such occasions they used to do in those hot Countries.

Though Naomi and Ruth seem to be vertuous and modest Women, and their intent was Lawful and Honest; yet there seems to be a manifold Irregularity in the manner of it. First, it seems to be against that Modesty, which should be eminent in that Sex, and in unmarried Persons. Secondly, Against Honesty, both because it was an injury to another Person, who was nearer akin, whose right this was; which Naomi could not be Ignorant of: and because it was a Preposterous and Precipitant Method, not agreeable either to the Rules of Scripture, or the Usage of well-mannered Nations, or that Decency which even Nature requires. Thirdly, Against Prudence; for it might have proved the occasion, as of many Sins, so of great shame to all of them; and a mean to Alienate his Affection from her, which she sought to engage. And though there be some Circumstances which Alleviate the Fact, as the Experience which Naomi had of the Wisdom and Sobriety both of Boaz and of Ruth, yet she knew not what the event would be; and that there was something of shamefulness in the thing, may be gathered both from Naomies choice of the Night for it, as if it were a Work of Darkness; and from Boaz his fear least this should be known, v. 14. And it is an aggravation of it, that this Course was unnecessary, and she had a plain and likely way, which was directly to Address her self to Boaz, or the next Kinsman, and to require the Duty which by Gods Law he was bound to perform, and this before Witnesses, as Boaz did. And her Clandestine proceeding seems to have arisen from a distrust of Gods Providence, to bring about what she desired in the ordinary way.

Remove the Cloths which were upon his Feet; thereby to awaken him.

How thou shouldst carry thy self, or what course thou shalt take to obtain that Marriage which belongs unto thee. Only there were some Rites to be observed, and Circumstances to be done, before they came to the conclusion of the Marriage, about which Boaz would instruct her.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 word] up the [illegible: 1 word] that are [illegible: 1 word] his feet.