Ruth 1 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study
Ruth 1 Summary - A Quick Overview
WHEN:
The events recorded in the book of Ruth happened during the period of the Judges (1:1). Most scholars place the period of the Judges between 1450 B.C. and 1000 B.C.
Ruth was the great-grandmother of King David. David’s birth is dated to approximately 1040 B.C, which would place Ruth’s story around 1100 B.C.
CHARACTERS:
Elimelech – A man from the tribe of Benjamin who moved his family to Moab.
Naomi – The wife of Elimelech.
Mahlon and Chilion – The sons of Elimelech and Naomi.
Ruth and Orpah – Moabite women who married Naomi’s sons.
WHERE:
Elimelech was originally from Bethlehem, but he moved his family to the country of Moab due to a famine.
Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem after the famine.
OUTLINE:
THE FAMINE AND THE DEATH OF NAOMI’S FAMILY (1:1-5):
During the days of the judges, a famine struck the land of the Israelites.
To escape the food shortage, Elimelech, a man from Bethlehem, took his wife and two sons to the land of Moab.
Unfortunately, Elimelech died and left Naomi a widow.
Sadder still, was the death of her two sons some years later.
Naomi was alone in Moab, except for her two Moabite daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth.
RUTH’S LOYALTY TO NAOMI (1:6-18):
Naomi resolved to return to Bethlehem because she heard God blessed the land with food.
She told Orpah and Ruth to return to their mother’s houses in Moab and find new husbands.
Orpah kissed her mother-in-law and went on her way, but Ruth refused to leave Naomi.
Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you” (1:16-17).
When Naomi realized her daughter-in-law could not be persuaded otherwise, she permitted her to accompany her back to Bethlehem.
NAOMI AND RUTH IN BETHLEHEM (1:19-22):
When Naomi returned to Bethlehem, the people of the town were excited to see her.
She told them not to call her Naomi but to call her “Mara”, because God had “dealt very bitterly” with her.
Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
APPLICATION:
Faithful friendship is one of the most beautiful blessings from God.
Spend some time thanking God for the friends and relatives who have blessed your life, especially when circumstances weren’t easy.
Praise God for people who never leave us!
