The Book of Ruth

Background

• Naomi and her family move from Moab to Judah because of a famine (lack of food)

• Naomi’s husband dies

• Sons die

• Destitute, she vows to return back to Moab

Naomi’s family

• Elimelech (Her Husband)

• Mahlon, Chilion (her sons)

• Ruth, Orpah (her daughter-in-laws)

Ruth’s devotion

• Ruth vows to care for Naomi after the men in their family die

• Works in the field gleaning barley

• Marries a wealthy kinsman, Boaz

• Marries because of levirate laws

Levirate Laws

• A brother, or another close kinsman, must marry a woman if her husband dies and leaves no heir to the family’s fortune

• Son is raised in the dead husband’s name

Naomi’s Family Tree

Namoi ----- Elimelech

Sons: Mahlon and Chilion

Mahlon married Ruth

Chilion married Orpah

Ruth married Boaz – son was Obed – son was Jesse – son was King David