Westminster Annotations, Ruth – 1 Samuel (1 Kings)
ANNOTATIONS On the Book of RUTH.
The ARGUMENT.
THis Scripture is intituled, The Book of Ruth, because she is the chief subject of this Story, and her Person and Part principally acted in it. The main scope at which it aimeth, is to continue and declare the Genealogie of our Saviour Christ; and that he descended of Boaz a Jew, and of Ruth a Moabitish Gentile, to shew that he should bring Salvation to all of every Nation, and that there should be no difference or respect of persons between one and another; but in every Nation, he that feareth God and worketh righteousnesse, should be acceptedAct. 10. 34, 35. in him. For the bringing of this to passe, there are many passages of Gods providence worthy observation, which are the sum and substance of this whole History: First, a Famine is sent by God upon the whole Land of Israel, as it is likely, in the time of that grievous oppression under the Tyranny of the Midianites; who spoiling Judg. 6.and wasting all the Countrey for many yeers together, brought this Famine, which enforced Naomi and her two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, to flee for sustenance into the Land of Moab; where sojourning a long time, they took unto them wives of the daughters of Moab, because (as it is probable) they could get none of their own Countrey and Tribe: There both of the men die, and Naomi deprived of the comfort of her sons, hearing that God had visited his people with plenty, resolveth to return: and when Ruth could not be perswaded to leave her, as dearly loving her Person and Religion, she accompanieth her into her countrey. There they live in a poor condition; and to relieve their wants, Ruth is fain to glean after the Reapers: and not knowing what field to make choice of, she is by Gods providence directed to follow Boaz his servants; upon which occasion he taking notice of her, her singular vertue, and pious love towards her mother-in-law, groweth by degrees into further acquaintance; till at last, concluding the match, they were married together, and blessed with a son called Obed, who was one of the Progenitors of JESUS CHRIST. And thus, through Gods wise providence, Ruth's poverty is made a step and passage Mat. 1. …to her highest preferment, not onelyonly to her marriage with rich Boaz, but also to be a great Grand-mother to the Saviour of the world; even as formerly Joseph, by his imprisonment, became Governour of Aegypt, and a preserver of his Father and all his family.
CHAP. I.
Vers. 1. WHen the Judges ruled] Hebr. judged. Some of the learned, by comparing the end of this book with Matth. 1. 5. do probably ghesse, That the things related in this story, were done in the dayes of Deborah: others refer them to the times of other of the Judges; so that there is no certainty hereof, in respect of the great variety of opinions, and no sure ground for any of them.
famine in the land] That is, of Canaan, See Judg. 6. 4, 6.
Beth-lehem-judah] See Judg. 12. 8.
of Moab] Lying castward from Canaan beyond Jordan, being much champian, and full of plains, Deut. 34. 1, 8.
V. 2. Ephrathites] In former times Beth-lehem-judah was called Ephrath, Gen. 35. 19. and also the countrey adjoyning to it, Mic. 5. 2. Mat. 2. 6.
continued] Hebr. were.
V. 4. was Orpah] Chilions wife.
Ruth] The wife of Mahlon. See Chap. 4. 10. Some think these Israelites sinned in marrying wives of an idolatrous nation, Ezr. 6. 1. Neh. 13. 23. But it was lawfull to marry such, if they were converted to the true religion, as it is probable these were, at least Ruth, v. 26. and Chap. 2. 12. and it came to passe by Gods speciall providence, who would have Ruth, as also Rahab, types of the calling of the Gentiles, seeing he would have Christ to descend of them, who was to be the Saviour both of Jews and Gentiles.
V. 6. had visited] That is, by sending them plenty again. This phrase is used to signifie Gods fulfilling his word, either in his promises of good, or threatnings of evil. See Gen. 21. 1. Luk. 1. 68. Job 35. 15. Jer. 14. 10.
bread] That is, all necessary food, and had ceased the famine.
V. 7. to return] To wit, Naomi, accompanied with her daughters in law. See v. 10. and Chap. 2. 6.
V. 8. with the dead] That is, my two sonnes your husbands.
V. 9. finde rest] A setled abode with all comfort and content, in the houses of those who are to be your husbands, Chap. 3. 1.
V. 10. we will return] That is, in thy returning to thy people we will accompany thee.
V. 11. your husbands] According to the law, Deut. 25. 5. So Gen. 38. 11, 14.
V. 12. If I should have an husband] Or, if I were with an husband.
V. 13. tarry] Hebr. hope.
it grieveth me much] Hebr. I have much bitternesse.
for your sakes] That is, that I have this heavie, yet necessary cause of parting with you, whom I so love, and who so love me.
hand of the Lord] That is, that God hath inflicted on me this sharp correction, to whose good pleasure, neverthelesse, I must submit, as you also ought to do.
V. 14. kissed her mother] And so departed and returned.
clave unto her] That is, would by no means leave her.
V. 15. her gods] That is, the Moabitish idolls whom she served. See Judg. 11. 14.
return thou] This she speaks not to perswade her, but to trie her faith and love both to the true religion, and also to her self, So Josh. 24. 19.
V. 16. Intreat me not to leave thee] Or, be not against me.
thy God my God] Here she sheweth her true conversion from idolatry, to the worship of the true God, and from her society with idolaters, to the communion of Gods people.
V. 17. the Lord do so to me] A form of imprecation used among the ancients, wherein the evil wished is suppressed; as though she should have said, The LORD thus and thus punish me, yea, multiply his plagues and judgements according to my demerits, and as himself pleaseth, if I do intend otherwise then I say and professe. See 1 King. 19. 2. 1 Sam. 25. 22. 1 King. 2. 23.
V. 18. was stedfastly minded] Hebr. strengthned her self.
V. 19. and they said] That is, the people of Bethelem, who had formerly known her in a better estate.
20. Naomi] That is, pleasant.
M…a] That is, bitter.
bitterly with me] To wit, in depriving me of my husband, and my two sons.
V. 21. out full] To wit, having a husband, two sons, and sufficient means of maintenance.
empty] That is, deprived of all these comforts.
testified against me] That is, declared his just displeasure, and convinced me of my sins, by inflicting these sharp afflictions. So Job 10. 17. 13. 26. 16. 8. Mal. 3. 5.
V. 22. which re…ned] See v. 7. 10. 1 Sam 25. 26.
barley harvest] Which in Canaan used to be in the monethmonth Nisan, and with us answereth to part of March and part of April, Levit. 23. 10.
CHAP. II.
Vers. 1. KInsman] Some think his nephew, being the son of Salmon Elimelech his brother.
V. 2. glean ears] Which by the law were to be left by the reapers, for the relief of the poor and stranger. Levit. 19. 9. 23. 22. Deut. 24. 19, &c.
V. 3. and her hap] Heb. hap hap…ed: It was hap in respect of Ruth, who knew not Bo…z his part of the field from another mans, but so ordered by Gods providence to make way for her marriage to him, Luk. 10. 31.
Boaz] Called, Matth. 1. 5. Booz.
V. 4. The Lord be with you] That is, blesse and prosper you, and your labours.
The Lord blesse thee] That is, we answer thee again with the like holy salutation.
V. 5. his servant] See Gen. 24. 5.
V. 6. came back] That is, accompanied Naomi in her coming back. See Chap. 1. 7, 10.
V. 7. a little in the house] That is, she hath been here all the day, saving a little while that she staid in the tent, either for shade, rest or repose.
V. 8. Hearest thou not?] A forme of affirming usuall with the Hebrews. See Gen. 13. 9.
V. 9. have I not charged] That is, I have certainly and earnestly charged them. See Judg. 4. 6.
not touch thee] That is, that they do thee no wrong, in deed, or word, Psal. 105. 15.
go unto the vessels] This was a great kindnesse in those countries, where the weather was hot, water scant, and they very thirsty with heat and labour, Gen. 26. 18, 19, &c.
V. 10. fell on her face] Such adorations from inferiours to superiours, are often mentioned in the scripture, Gen. 18. 2. 33. 3. 42. 6. 1 Sam. 25. 23.
take knowledge] That is, respect and favour me, as if I were one of thy friends, or kinred.
V. 12. a full reward] Let God bountifully like himself reward thy faith, by which thou hast been moved to leave all thy friends, and to trust in him, of which all my kindnesse is but a small taste.
whose wings] That is, in whose protection thou puttest thy confidence, as the little chicken under the wings of her dame. See Psal. 17. 8. 36. 6. 57. 1. Matth. 23. 37.
V. 13. Let me finde favour] Or, I finde favour.
friendly] Heb. to the heart.
though I be not like] That is, more mean, and lesse to be respected. So 1 Sam. 25. 41.
V. 14. the bread] Her vertues observed increase his love, and his love, her allowance; before v. 9. he giveth her leave to drink out of his vessels, and now also to eat of his food.
in the vineger] Or the sauce made with vineger, wherewith, those that are afflicted with heat are much refreshed. Plinius l. 23. ch. 1.
parched corn] A kinde of food usuall in those countries. See 2 Sam. 17. 28.
and left] Which she reserved for the relief of her mother, vers. 18.
V. 15. reproach her not] Heb. shame her not; that is, do not forbid, or rebuke her, which would make her ashamed, being a modest woman.
V. 17. an ephah] See Exod. 16. 36.
V. 18. brought forth] To wit, out of her scrip or bag.
V. 19. take knowledge] See v. 14.
V. 20. the living] That is, me and thee.
the dead] That is, my husband and sons deceased, who were of his neer kinred.
one of our next kinsmen] Or, one that hath right to redeem, To wit, who hath according to the law, right to redeem lands alienated; and also ought to marry the widdow of him that is dead, having no issue, as it is thy case, Levit. 25. 25. Deut. 25. 5, 6, 7. Mark. 12. 19.
V. 22. that they meet thee not] Or, fall upon thee; That is, that other reapers, ill minded to thee, being a stranger, do offer thee no abuse, or least Boaz his maids should meet her in some other field, he having willed her to keep to his.
CHAP. III.
Vers. 1 SHall I not] That is, I will assuredly seek. See Judg. 4. 6.
rest for thee] That is, a setled estate, free from the turmoyl of thy present condition, to wit, poverty, labours, grief, widdow-hood, want of children, which disquiet thy minde, by procuring for thee a good husband. See Chap. 1. 9.
V. 2. is not Boaz] That is, know assuredly, that he is our neer kinsman, to whom the right of redemption belongeth. See Chap. 2. 20.
V. 3. anoint thee] To wit, with fragant oyl, as was the manner of those countries, 2 Sam. 14. 2. Psal. 104. 15. Matth. 6. 17.
thy raiment] That is, thy best clothes.
to the man] That is, to Boaz.
V. 4. and thou shalt go in] Her intention was good, though the means seemingly, and under severe censure immodest. But Naomi, being confident of the honesty and innocency, both of Boaz and Ruth, having respect also to Boaz his age, adviseth to this course, as thinking it most effectuall to draw on the match, avoiding withall, as much as might be, giving scandall to others by the secrecy, which the time of night and place afforded.
uncover his feet] Or, lift up the clothes that are on his feet.
V. 5. And she said] That is, Ruth answered her mother.
V. 7. had eaten and drunk] That is, liberally, according to their manner in time of harvest and vintage, Psal. 4. 7.
was merry] That is, frolick and cheerfull.
V. 8. turned himself] Or, took hold on.
V. 9. spread therefore thy skirt] A proverbiall speech; that is, retain me into thy protection, by taking me to be thy wife. See Chap. 2. 12. and Gen. 20. 16. Ezek. 16. 8. Deuter. 22. 30.
a neer kinsman] Or, one that hath right to redeem. See Chap. 2. 20.
V. 10. in the latter end] That is, in this thy present act of chaste love, preferring me an old man before young men, more vigorous and personable.
then at the beginning] That is, to thy former husband, and to thy mother in law, Chap. 1. 8. and 2. 11.
young men] That is, men of like age to thy self, neither here nor in thy own countrey, but hast left them, and come into Canaan, and hast not chosen a man of thine own age, but such an one as may be fit to preserve thy husbands name in his own family.
V. 11. all that thou requirest] That is, procure for thee an husband and redeemer, according to the law. See Chap. 2. v. 20.
citie] Heb. gate.
V. 13. part of a kinsman] In taking thee to wife, and raising seed to him that is deceased, to preserve his name and race. See Chap. 2. 20.
V. 14. not be known] To avoid scandall, that he might keep hereby a good conscience before God, and a good name before men, Act. 24. 16. Rom. 12. 17. 2 Cor. 8. 21.
V. 15. vail] Or, sheet, or, apron.
V. 16. Who art thou] Though she might discern her by her feature and burthen, to be a young woman, and so calls her daughter; yet being dark, she could not cleerly and certainly see, and know that she was Ruth.
V. 18. Sit still] That is, abide with me in the house, that thou mayest be ready to attend upon all occasions.
CHAP. IIII.
Vers. 1. TO the gate] The place used among the ancient… for their assemblies, judicature and contracts.
and sate him down] To wit, expecting when the neerer kinsman to Ruth should come thither, or passe by.
Ho, such a one] The Hebrews here use two words, which have no proper signification, but seem to note a certain person whose name they knew not, or had forgotten, as we use to say, ho, such an one, or, do you hear, sir. So 2 King. 6. 8. 1 Sam▪ 21. 2.
V. 2. took ten elders] To wit, that they might be judges or witnesses of their proceedings.
V. 3. selleth a parcell of land] To wit, which was Mahlons, and is divolved upon Ruth his widow, and is now upon sale, for her own, and her mothers maintenance, being in poverty; by which ambiguous speech he soundeth his minde, before he would speak of his marrying with Ruth, Levit. 25. 25.
our brother] That is, our neer kinsman in blood.
V. 4. I thought to advertise thee] Heb. … said I will reveal in thine ear.
before the inhabitants] That is, in a legall manner.
may know] That is, what I have to do, and how to proceed.
V. 5. of Ruth] Who had right unto it for her maintenance, till her husbands kinsman marrying her, had restored and preferred his name by raising seed unto him, who was to injoy it afterwards, Deut. 25. 5.
V. 6. lest I marre mine own inheritance] For if he were a single man, then if he should marry Ruth, and have issue, onelyonly one childe, then this bearing his kinsmans name deceased, and inheriting his land, he should want an heir (to bear his own name) begotten by himself, which was Onans case, Gen. 38. 8. and now Mahlons; or if he were a widower (as it is more probable) and had already divers children, and should have likewise divers more by Ruth, then he should impair his inheritance for his former children, by having it divided among so many.
my right] That is, the right which I have as next kinsman, I renounce and resigne it unto thee.
V. 7. the manner] Deut. 25. 7, 9. That is, the ceremony that was used legally to ratifie it.
concerning changing] That is, publikely performed in a legall way.
a man] That is, he who did alienate any thing from himself.
plucked off his shoe] In token that he was willing to depart from, and alienate his right and title.
and gave it to his neighbour] To wit, the redeemer, to whom it was alienated and yeelded over.
a testimony] That is, was entred upon record, that the redeemer should ever hold his right to the thing redeemed; and he that had yeelded it over, should never again challenge it.
V. 8. drew off his shoe] The ceremony of reproach, to wit, spitting, appointed by the law, Deut. 25. 9. was here omitted or remitted, either now being out of use, or because Ruth was not present, having referred the managing of the whole businesse to Boaz.
V. 10. the gate of his place] From the citizens of his city, who meet in the gate.
V. 11. like Rachel and Leah] That is, who leaving their own countrey, and following Jacob, as now Ruth hath done, have by bearing of children, multiplyed Jacobs posterity.
do thou worthily] Or, get thee riches, or, power; or, make thee grow mighty and full of riches, which in this marriage with Ruth, thou hast wholly neglected.
in Ephratah] Which is all one with Bethelem. See Chap. 1. 2.
be famous] Heb. proclaim thy name: By having a numerous posterity to continue thy name, and make thee famous and renowned.
V. 12. whom Tamar bare unto Judah] Gen. 38. 29. 1 Chro. 2. 4. Matth. 1. 3. And who was the progenitour of Boaz, and he of Christ by lineall descent; which is here purposely inserted by the holy Ghost, to shew Christs genealogy according to the flesh, and that according to the promise, he came out of the tribe of Judah, Gen. 49. 10.
V. 13. went in unto her] A modest phrase, signifying his companying with her as his wife. See Gen. 6. 4.
V. 14. left thee] Heb. caused to cease unto thee.
kinsman] Or, redeemer.
that nis name] That is, the name of this pious redeemer, who hath raised up seed to his kinsman deceased; or the name of thy son, though he died childlesse, in this son now born unto him.
V. 15. a restorer of thy life] That is, he shall comfort and revive thee, restoring to thee (as it were) a new life. See Psal. 19. 8. 23. 3. Lam. 1. 11.
a nourisher] Heb. to nourish.
thine old age] Heb. thy gray hairs.
then seven sons] That is, then many sons. See Gen. 4. 15. 1 Sam. 2. 5.
V. 16. laid it in her bosome] That is, did tenderly love and cherish it, as its dry nurse.
V. 17. neighbours gave it] That is, perswaded Naomi, or the childes parents, to give it this name.
Obed] That is, serving, in respect of that service, which he should afterwards perform to old Naomi, of which they spoke, vers. 15.
V. 18. the generations] That is, the posterity which descended of Pharez.
Pharez begat Hezron] 1 Chron. 2. 4. Matth. 1. 3.
V. 20. Salmon] Or, Salmah.