Observations Upon the Old Testament, Commentary · Ruth
Ruth.
THE Book and History of Ruth falls in with the time of Deborah, or Gideou; as may be gatherd by comparing Matth. 1. 5. with the end of this History: and what formerly hath been said upon Rahabs marriage. And the History serves mainly to continue and declare the Genealogie of our Saviour Jesus Christ, Chap. IV. 18,—22.
Famine] In the time of the Oppression of Jabin, chapter I verse 1 or the Midianites.
Ephrathites] Ch. IV. 11. Bethlehem was called Ephrath, verse 2 Gen. XXXV. 19. Micah V. 2. Matth. II. 6.
Of Bethlehem Judah] To distinguish it from Bethlehem in the Tribe of Zebulun, Josh. XIX. 15. And these persons from those of the Tribe of Ephraim, who were likewise called Ephrathites, 1 King. XI 26.
Ruth] The subject matter; not the Author of this Book. verse 4
Mothers house] I am but your Mother-in-Law. verse 8
Moe sons in my womb] See Deut. XXV. verse 11 5, 6.
And unto her gods] Orpha's idolatrous inclination. verse 15
Returne thou] As, Josh. XXIV. 19.
Testified against me] As a witnesse of his just displeasure, verse 21 and my sinne.
Barley-harvest] Part of our March and April, Lev. XXIII. 10, verse 22 15, 16.
Let me gleane] Her modesty; notwithstanding the Law, chapter II verse 7 Lev. XIX. 9, 10. and XXIII. 22.
An 20. Ephah] See the Observations on Exod. XVI. 36.
One of our next kinsmen] Who hath right to redeem, verse 17 &c. And ought also to marry the Widow of his Kinsman, verse 20 being dead without issue, Levit. XXV. 25, 26. Deut. XXV. 5, 6, 7. Mar. XII. 19.
Uncover his feet] Naomi well knew the piety and chastity of Boaz, chapter III verse 4 and of Ruth; and confidently trusted therein.
Spread therefore thy skirt] Receive me into thy protection, by taking me to be thy wife, verse 9 according to the Law.
Lie down untill the morning] Boaz not offended with this maner of her approach, verse 13. 14. and motion.
Not be known] Boaz then did lie alone, in a roome by himself; and is careful to avoid scandal.
Six] See the Observations on Gen. XVIII. 6. verse 15
Gate] Gates of Cities were the ordinary places of audience, chapter IV verse 1 and judicature, Deut. XVII. 2, 8. 2 Sam. XIX. 8. Prov. XXXI. 23. Jer. XXXVIII. 7. Lam. V. 13. And the usual maner of Prophets was to publish their Prophecies in the Gates, either of the Temple, or of the Citie of Jerusalem, Jer. VII. 2. and XIX. 2. and XXVI. 10. and sometimes of the Kings house; as places of greatest concourse of people, Jer. XVII. 19. and XXII. 1, 2.
Lest I marre mine own inheritance] Want an heire, verse 6 if I shall have but one childe by her: or having many, she being young, and poor, weaken mine owne inheritance, in dividing it among so many, specially if he were now a widower, and had children by his former wife.
A man plucked off his shoe] These Ceremonies then used in buying, verse 7 and bargaining of land, in reedeeming, and changing, had some resemblance to that Law, Deut. XXV. 8, 9. But with diverse differences. See, Psal. LX. 8. The Ceremonies that respected the person of Ruth, are here not mentioned, but may seeme either omitted, or else transacted with much alteration from the first institution▪ as those times now were.
THe two Books of Samuel are thought to be written by Samuel, Nathan and Gad, one after another, 1 Chron. XXIX. 29. Yet some passages in them may seeme to intimate the writing of them to have been of a later time. As, 1 Sam. V. 5. and XXVII. 6. and XXX. 25. 2. Sam. VI. 8, and XVIII. 8.
They may better be called, The I. and II. Book of Kings: The I. containing all the History of King Saul; Samuel dying, 1 Sam. XXV. And the II. the History of King Ishbosheth shortly; and of King David at large. And so do the LXX. and many other stile them.