经文：路得记 1:1-1:1 注释:
1; Elimelech, driven by famine into Moab, dies there.
4; Mahlon and Chilion, having married wives of Moab, die also.
6; Naomi, returning homeward,
8; dissuades her two daughters-in-law from going with her.
14; Orpah leaves her, but Ruth with great constancy accompanies
her.
19; They two come to Beth-lehem, where they are gladly received.
* the judges.
Jud 2:16 12:8
* ruled. Heb. judged. a famine.
Ge 12:10 26:1 43:1 Le 26:19 De 28:23,24,38 2Sa 21:1
1Ki 17:1-12 18:2 2Ki 8:1,2 Ps 105:16 107:34 Jer 14:1
Eze 14:13,21 Joe 1:10,11,16-20 Am 4:6
* Beth-lehem-judah.
Jud 17:8 19:1,2
经文：路得记 1:2-1:2 注释:
* Elimelech.
The Rabbins say, that Elimelech was the son of Salmon, who
married Rahab; and that Naomi was his niece.
* Naomi.
20
* Mahlon.
It is imagined, and not without probability, that Mahlon and
Chilion are the same with Joash and Saraph, mentioned in 1; Ch
4:22.
* Ephrathites.
Ge 35:19 1Sa 1:1 17:21 Mic 5:2
* continued. Heb. were.
经文：路得记 1:3-1:3 注释:
* and she was.
2Ki 4:1 Ps 34:19 Heb 12:6,10,11
经文：路得记 1:4-1:4 注释:
* they took.
The Targum says, "they transgressed the decree of the word of
the Lord, and took to them strange women."
* wives.
De 7:3 23:3 1Ki 11:1,2
* Ruth.
Mt 1:5
经文：路得记 1:5-1:5 注释:
* A.M. 2696. B.C. 1308. An. Ex. Is. 183. Mahlon.
De 32:39 Ps 89:30-32 Jer 2:19
* died.
The Targum adds, "And because they transgressed the decree of
the word of the Lord, and joined affinity with strange people,
therefore their days were cut off."
* and the woman.
Isa 49:21 Mt 22:25-27 Lu 7:12
经文：路得记 1:6-1:6 注释:
* visited.
Ge 21:1 50:25 Ex 3:16 4:31 1Sa 2:21 Lu 1:68 19:44 1Pe 2:12
* in giving.
Ge 28:20 48:15 Ex 16:4-6 Ps 104:14,15 111:5 132:15 145:15
Ps 146:7 147:14 Pr 30:8 Isa 55:10 Mt 6:11 1Ti 6:8
经文：路得记 1:7-1:7 注释:
* she went.
2Ki 8:3
* they went.
10,14 Ex 18:27
经文：路得记 1:8-1:8 注释:
* Go.
Jos 24:15-28 Lu 14:25-33
* the Lord.
Php 4:18,19 2Ti 1:16-18
* the dead.
5 2:20 Eph 5:22 6:2,3 Col 3:18,24
经文：路得记 1:9-1:9 注释:
* rest.
3:1
* she kissed.
Ge 27:27 29:11 45:15 Ac 20:37
经文：路得记 1:10-1:10 注释:
* Surely.
Ps 16:3 119:63 Zec 8:23
经文：路得记 1:11-1:11 注释:
* are there.
This alludes to the custom that when a married brother died,
without leaving posterity, his brother should take his widow;
and the children of such marriages were accounted those of the
deceased brother. This address of Naomi to her
daughter-in-law is exceedingly tender, persuasive, and
affecting.
* that they.
Ge 38:11 De 25:5
经文：路得记 1:12-1:12 注释:
* too old.
Ge 17:17 1Ti 5:9
* I should have. or, I were with.
经文：路得记 1:13-1:13 注释:
* tarry. Heb. hope. it grieveth me much. Heb. I have much
bitterness. the hand.
De 2:15 Jud 2:15 1Sa 5:11 Job 19:21 Ps 32:4 38:2 39:9,10
经文：路得记 1:14-1:14 注释:
* Orpah.
Ge 31:28,55 1Ki 19:20 Mt 10:37 19:22 Mr 10:21,22 2Ti 4:10
* but Ruth.
The LXX. add, [kai epestrepsen eis ton laon autes,] "and
returned to her own people." The Vulgate, Syriac, and Arabic
are to the same purpose. It seems a very natural addition,
and agrees with the assertion in the next verse; and is
accordingly adopted by Houbigant as a part of the text.
De 4:4 10:20 Pr 17:17 18:24 Isa 14:1 Zec 8:23 Mt 16:24
Joh 6:66-69 Ac 17:34 Heb 10:39
经文：路得记 1:15-1:15 注释:
* gone back.
Ps 36:3 125:5 Zep 1:6 Mt 13:20,21 Heb 10:38 1Jo 2:19
* and unto.
They were probably both idolaters at this time. That they
were proselytes is an unfounded conjecture; and the conversion
of Ruth now only commenced.
* her gods.
Jud 11:24
* return.
Jos 24:15,19 2Sa 15:19,20 2Ki 2:2 Lu 14:26-33 24:28
经文：路得记 1:16-1:16 注释:
* Ruth.
A more perfect surrender of friendly feelings to a friend was
never made. This was a most extraordinary and disinterested
attachment.
* Intreat me not. or, Be not against me. to leave.
2Ki 2:2-6 Lu 24:28,29 Ac 21:13
* whither.
2Sa 15:21 Mt 8:19 Joh 13:37 Re 14:4
* thy people.
2:11,12 Ps 45:10 Isa 14:1
* thy God.
Jos 24:18 Da 2:47 3:29 4:37 Ho 13:4 2Co 6:16-18 1Th 1:9
经文：路得记 1:17-1:17 注释:
* the lord.
1Sa 3:17 25:22 2Sa 3:9,35 19:13 1Ki 2:23 19:2 20:10 2Ki 6:31
* but death.
Ac 11:23 20:24
经文：路得记 1:18-1:18 注释:
* When.
Ac 21:14
* was stedfastly minded. Heb. strengthened herself.
Ac 2:42 Eph 6:10
经文：路得记 1:19-1:19 注释:
* all the city.
From this it would appear that Naomi was not only well known,
but also highly respected at Beth-lehem: a proof that
Elimelech was of high consideration at that place.
Mt 21:10
* Is this Naomi?
Isa 23:7 La 2:15
经文：路得记 1:20-1:20 注释:
* Naomi. that is, Pleasant. Mara. that is, Bitter. the
Almighty.
Ge 17:1 43:14 Job 5:17 11:7 Re 1:8 21:22
* dealt.
Job 6:4 19:6 Ps 73:14 88:15 Isa 38:13 La 3:1-20 Heb 12:11
经文：路得记 1:21-1:21 注释:
* and the.
1Sa 2:7,8 Job 1:21
* the Lord.
Job 10:17 13:26 16:8 Mal 3:5
经文：路得记 1:22-1:22 注释:
* in the beginning.
At the beginning of Spring; for the barley harvest began
immediately after the passover, and that festival was held on
the 15th of Nisan, corresponding nearly with our March.
2:23 Ex 9:31,32 2Sa 21:9
经文：路得记 2:1-2:1 注释:
1; Ruth gleans in the field of Boaz.
4; Boaz takes notice of her,
8; and shews her great favour.
18; That which she got, she carries to Naomi.
* kinsman.
3:2,12
* a mighty.
De 8:17,18 Job 1:3 31:25
* Boaz.
Boaz, according the Targumist, was the same as Ibzan.
4:21 Jud 12:8-10 1Ch 2:10-12 Mt 1:5 Lu 3:32
* Booz.
经文：路得记 2:2-2:2 注释:
* glean ears.
Le 19:9,16 23:22 De 24:19-21
经文：路得记 2:3-2:3 注释:
* gleaned.
1Th 4:11,12 2Th 3:12
* hap was. Heb. hap happened.
2Ki 8:5 Es 6:1,2 Mt 10:29 Lu 10:31
经文：路得记 2:4-2:4 注释:
* The Lord.
Ps 118:26 129:7,8 Lu 1:28 2Th 3:16 2Ti 4:22 2Jo 1:10,11
* And they.
4:11 Ge 18:19 Jos 24:15 Ps 133:1-3 1Ti 6:2
经文：路得记 2:5-2:5 注释:
4:21 1Ch 2:11,12
经文：路得记 2:6-2:6 注释:
* the servant.
This seems to have been a kind of steward, who had the under-
management of the estate.
Ge 15:2 24:2 39:4 Mt 20:8 24:45
* It is the.
1:16,19,22
经文：路得记 2:7-2:7 注释:
* I pray.
Pr 15:33 18:23 Mt 5:3 Eph 5:21 1Pe 5:5,6
* continued.
Pr 13:4 22:29 Ec 9:10 Ro 12:11 Ga 6:9
* in the house.
It seems that the reapers were now resting in a tent, erected
for that purpose; and that Ruth had just gone in with them, to
take her rest also.
经文：路得记 2:8-2:8 注释:
* my daughter.
1Sa 3:6,16 2Ki 5:13 Mt 9:2,22
* neither.
So 1:7,8
* abide.
Mt 10:7-11 Php 4:8
经文：路得记 2:9-2:9 注释:
* touch thee.
Ge 20:6 Job 19:21 Ps 105:15 Pr 6:29 1Co 7:1 1Jo 5:18
* go.
Ge 24:18-20 Mt 10:42 Joh 4:7-11
经文：路得记 2:10-2:10 注释:
* fell.
Ge 18:2 1Sa 25:23
* Why have.
2,13 2Sa 9:8 19:28 Lu 1:43,48 Ro 12:10
* seeing.
Isa 56:3-8 Mt 15:22-28 25:35 Lu 7:6,7 17:16-18
经文：路得记 2:11-2:11 注释:
* all that.
1:11,14-22 Ps 37:5,6
* and how.
Ps 45:10 Lu 5:11,23 14:33 18:29,30 Heb 11:8,9,24-26
经文：路得记 2:12-2:12 注释:
* recompense.
1Sa 24:19 Ps 19:11 58:11 Pr 11:18 23:18 *marg:
Mt 5:12 6:1 10:41,42 Lu 6:35 14:12-14 Col 2:18 2Ti 1:18 4:8
Heb 6:10 11:6,26
* wings.
1:16 Ps 17:8 36:7 57:1 61:4 63:7 91:4 Mt 23:37
经文：路得记 2:13-2:13 注释:
* Let me find. or, I find favour.
Ge 33:8,10,15 43:14 1Sa 1:18 2Sa 16:4
* friendly. Heb. to the heart.
Ge 34:3 Jud 19:3
* not like.
1Sa 25:41 Pr 15:33 Php 2:3
经文：路得记 2:14-2:14 注释:
* At meal-time.
Job 31:16-22 Pr 11:24,25 Isa 32:8 58:7,10,11 Lu 14:12-14
* dip thy morsel.
Vinegar, robb of fruits, etc., are used for this purpose in
the East to the present day; into which, says Dr. Shaw, they
dip the bread and hand together.
* parched.
1Sa 17:17 25:18 2Sa 17:28
* she did.
De 8:10 11:15 2Ki 4:43,44 Mt 14:20
* was sufficed.
18 Ps 23:5
经文：路得记 2:15-2:15 注释:
* glean.
The word glean comes from the French {glaner} to gather ears
or grains of corn. This was formerly a general custom in
England and Ireland: the poor went into the fields, and
collected the straggling ears of corn after the reapers; and
it was long supposed that this was their right, and that the
law recognized it; but although it has been an old custom, it
is now settled by a solemn judgment of the Court of Common
Pleas, that a right to glean in the harvest field cannot be
claimed by any person at common law. Any person may permit or
prevent it on his own grounds. By the Irish Acts, 25; Henry
VIII. c. 1, and 28; Henry VIII. c. 24, gleaning and leasing are
so restricted as to be in fact prohibited in that part of the
United Kingdom.
* reproach. Heb. shame.
Jas 1:5
经文：路得记 2:16-2:16 注释:
De 24:19-21 Ps 112:9 Pr 19:17 Mt 25:40 Ro 12:13 2Co 8:5-11
Phm 1:7 Heb 6:10 1Jo 3:17,18
经文：路得记 2:17-2:17 注释:
* she gleaned.
Pr 31:27
* ephah.
Ex 16:36 Eze 45:11,12
经文：路得记 2:18-2:18 注释:
* she had reserved.
14 Joh 6:12,13 1Ti 5:4
经文：路得记 2:19-2:19 注释:
* blessed.
10 Ps 41:1 2Co 9:13-15
* Boaz.
1Ki 7:21
经文：路得记 2:20-2:20 注释:
* Blessed.
3:10 2Sa 2:5 Job 29:12,13 2Ti 1:16-18
* hath not.
2Sa 9:1 Pr 17:17 Php 4:10
* one of our. or, one that hath right to redeem.
3:9 4:6 Le 25:25 De 25:5-7 Job 19:25
经文：路得记 2:21-2:21 注释:
* Thou shalt.
7,8,22 So 1:7,8
* young men.
The word {hann(8983)rim} should be translated the servants; both
male and female being included in it, the latter especially:
see ver. 8, 22, 23.
经文：路得记 2:22-2:22 注释:
* Ruth.
Ruth is said, by the Targumist, to have been the daughter of
Eglon, king of Moab.
* It is good.
Pr 27:10 So 1:8
* meet. or, fall not upon thee.
经文：路得记 2:23-2:23 注释:
Pr 6:6-8 13:1,20 1Co 15:33 Eph 6:1-3
经文：路得记 3:1-3:1 注释:
1; By Naomi's instruction.
5; Ruth lies at Boaz's feet.
8; Boaz acknowledges the right of a kinsman.
14; He sends her away with six measures of barley.
* shall I not.
1:9 1Co 7:36 1Ti 5:8,14
* may be.
Ge 40:14 De 4:40 Ps 128:2 Jer 22:15,16
经文：路得记 3:2-3:2 注释:
* is not Boaz.
2:20-23 De 25:5,6 Heb 2:11-14
* with whose.
2:8,23
* he winnoweth.
It is probable that the winnowing of grain was effected by
taking up a portion of the corn in a sieve, and letting it
down slowly in the wind; thus the grain would, by its own
weight, fall in one place, while the chaff, etc., would be
carried a distance by the wind. It is said here that this was
done at night; probably what was threshed out in the day was
winnowed in the evening, when the sea breeze set in, which was
common in Palestine.
经文：路得记 3:3-3:3 注释:
* anoint thee.
2Sa 14:2 Ps 104:15 Ec 9:8 Mt 6:17
* put thy.
Es 5:1 1Ti 2:9,10
经文：路得记 3:4-3:4 注释:
* uncover his feet. or, lift up the clothes that are on his
feet.
1Th 5:22
经文：路得记 3:5-3:5 注释:
5
经文：路得记 3:6-3:6 注释:
* and did.
Ex 20:12 Pr 1:8 Joh 2:5 15:14
经文：路得记 3:7-3:7 注释:
* his heart.
Ge 43:34 Jud 16:25 19:6,9,22 2Sa 13:28 Es 1:10 Ps 104:15
Ec 2:24 3:12,13 8:15 9:7 10:19 1Co 10:31 Eph 5:18
* went to lie.
Such was the simplicity of those early times, that the most
wealthy persons looked after their own affairs, both at home
and in the field. These threshing-floors were covered at top
to keep off the rain, but lay open on all sides, that the wind
might come in freely, for winnowing the corn; which being
done, it is probable they were shut up at night, with doors
fitted to them, that if any one lay there he might be kept
warm, and the corn be secured from robbers.
经文：路得记 3:8-3:8 注释:
turned. or, took hold on.
经文：路得记 3:9-3:9 注释:
* Ruth.
2:10-13 1Sa 25:41 Lu 14:11
* spread therefore.
Hebrew "spread thy wing;" the emblem of protection; and a
metaphor taken from the young of fowls, which run under the
wings of their mother from birds of prey. Even to the present
day, when a Jew marries a woman, he throws the skirts of his
{talith} over her, to signify that he has taken her under his
protection.
Eze 16:8
* a near kinsman. or, one that has right to redeem.
12 2:20
经文：路得记 3:10-3:10 注释:
* Blessed.
2:4,20 1Co 13:4,5
* at the beginning.
1:8
经文：路得记 3:11-3:11 注释:
* city. Heb. gate.
Pr 12:4 31:10,29-31
经文：路得记 3:12-3:12 注释:
* there is.
4:1 Mt 7:12 1Th 4:6
经文：路得记 3:13-3:13 注释:
* if he will.
2:20 4:5 De 25:5-9 Mt 22:24-27
* the Lord liveth.
Jud 8:19 Jer 4:2 2Co 1:23 Heb 6:16
经文：路得记 3:14-3:14 注释:
* Let it not.
Ec 7:1 Ro 12:17 14:16 1Co 10:32 2Co 8:21 1Th 5:22 1Pe 2:12
经文：路得记 3:15-3:15 注释:
* vail. or sheet, or apron.
The word {mitpachath} has been variously rendered. The LXX.
translate it [ ,] an apron, and Vulgate, {pallium,} a
cloak. By the circumstances of the story, it must have been
of a considerable size; and accordingly Dr. Shaw thinks it was
no other than the {hyke,} the finer sort of which, such as are
still worn by ladies and persons of distinction among the
Arabs, he takes to answer to the [ ,] or robe, of
the ancient Greeks.
* he measured.
Isa 32:8 Ga 6:10
* six measures.
The quantity of this barley is uncertain. The Targum renders
it, {shith sein,} "six {seahs."} A {seah} contained about two
gallons and a half, six of which must have been a very heavy
load for a woman, and so the Targumist thought, for he adds,
"And she received strength from the Lord to carry it."
经文：路得记 3:16-3:16 注释:
* Who art thou.
Or, as the Vulgate renders, {Quid egisti filia?} "What hast
thou done, my daughter?"
16
经文：路得记 3:17-3:17 注释:
17
经文：路得记 3:18-3:18 注释:
* Sit still.
Ps 37:3-5 Isa 28:16 30:7
经文：路得记 4:1-4:1 注释:
1; Boaz calls into judgment the next kinsman.
6; He refuses the redemption according to the manner in
Israel.
9; Boaz buys the inheritance.
11; He marries Ruth.
13; She bears Obed, the grandfather of David.
18; The generations of Pharez unto David.
* to the gate.
De 16:18 17:5 21:19 25:7 Job 29:7 31:21 Am 5:10-12,15
* the kinsman.
3:12
* Ho, such.
Isa 55:1 Zec 2:6
经文：路得记 4:2-4:2 注释:
* the elders.
Ex 18:21,22 21:8 De 29:10 31:28 1Ki 21:8 Pr 31:23 La 5:14
Ac 6:12
经文：路得记 4:3-4:3 注释:
* he said.
Ps 112:5 Pr 13:10
经文：路得记 4:4-4:4 注释:
* I thought. Heb. I said I will reveal in thine ear. Buy it.
Jer 32:7-9,25 Ro 12:17 2Co 8:21 Php 4:8
* before the inhabitants.
Ge 23:18 Jer 32:10-12
* for there is none.
Le 25:25-29
经文：路得记 4:5-4:5 注释:
* What day.
Or rather, according to the emendations proposed by Houbigant
and Dr. Kennicott, and which have been confirmed by a great
many MSS. since collated, and agreeably to the ancient
versions, "In the day thou purchasest the land from the hand
of Naomi, thou wilt also acquire Ruth, the Moabitess, the wife
of the dead," etc. This is Boaz's statement of the case to
his kinsman, before the people and elders.
* to raise up.
3:12,13 Ge 38:8 De 25:5,6 Mt 22:24 Lu 20:28
经文：路得记 4:6-4:6 注释:
* I cannot.
The Targum seems to give the proper sense of this passage: "I
cannot redeem it, because I have a wife already; and it is not
fit for me to bring another into my house, lest brawling and
contention arise in it; and lest I hurt my own inheritance.
Do thou redeem it, for thou has no wife; which hinders me from
redeeming it."
6
经文：路得记 4:7-4:7 注释:
* a man plucked off.
This custom does not refer to the law about refusing to marry
a brother's widow, but was usual in the transfer of
inheritances: for this relative was not a brother, but simply
a kinsman; and the shoe was not pulled off by Ruth, but by the
kinsman himself. The Targumist, instead of his shoe, renders
"his right hand glove," it probably being the custom, in his
time, to give that instead of a shoe. Jarchi says, "When we
purchase any thing new, it is customary to give, instead of a
shoe, a handkerchief or veil."
De 25:7-10
经文：路得记 4:8-4:8 注释:
8
经文：路得记 4:9-4:9 注释:
* Ye are witnesses.
Ge 23:16-18 Jer 32:10-12
经文：路得记 4:10-4:10 注释:
* have I.
Ge 29:18,19,27 Pr 18:22 19:14 31:10,11 Ho 3:2 12:12 Eph 5:25
* the name.
De 25:6 Jos 7:9 Ps 34:16 109:15 Isa 48:19 Zec 13:2
* ye are witnesses.
Isa 8:2,3 Mal 2:14 Heb 13:4
经文：路得记 4:11-4:11 注释:
* the Lord.
Ge 24:60 Ps 127:3-5 128:3-6
* Rachel.
Ge 29:32-35 30:1-24 35:16-20 46:8-27 Nu 26:1-65
* build.
De 25:9 Pr 14:1
* do thou worthily. or, get thee riches, or power. Ephratah.
1:2 Ge 35:16,19 Ps 132:6 Mic 5:2 Mt 2:6
* be famous. Heb. proclaim thy name.
经文：路得记 4:12-4:12 注释:
* the house.
Ge 46:12 Nu 26:20-22
* whom.
Ge 38:29 1Ch 2:4 Mt 1:3
* of the seed.
1Sa 2:20
经文：路得记 4:13-4:13 注释:
* A.M. 2697. B.C. 1307. An. Ex. Is. 184. Boaz.
3:11
* the Lord.
12 Ge 20:17,18 21:1-3 25:21 29:31 30:2,22,23 33:5 1Sa 1:27
2:5 Ps 113:9 127:3
经文：路得记 4:14-4:14 注释:
* the women.
Lu 1:58 Ro 12:15 1Co 12:26
* Blessed.
Ge 29:35 Ps 34:1-3 103:1,2 1Th 5:18 2Th 1:3
* which hath.
Ge 24:27
* left thee. Heb. caused to cease unto thee. kinsman, or,
redeemer. that his.
21,22 Ge 12:2 Isa 11:1-4 Mt 1:5-20
经文：路得记 4:15-4:15 注释:
* a nourisher, etc. Heb. to nourish thy grey hairs.
Ge 45:11 47:12 Ps 55:22 Isa 46:4
* for thy.
1:16-18
* better.
1Sa 1:8 Pr 18:24
经文：路得记 4:16-4:16 注释:
16
经文：路得记 4:17-4:17 注释:
* the women.
Lu 1:58-63
* Obed.
That is, [douleuon,] serving, or a servant, as Josephus
interprets it.
15
经文：路得记 4:18-4:18 注释:
* Pharez.
1Ch 2:4-8 4:1 Mt 1:3 Lu 3:33
* Phares, Esrom.
经文：路得记 4:19-4:19 注释:
* begat Ram.
1Ch 2:9,10 Mt 1:4 Lu 3:33
* Aram, Aminadab.
经文：路得记 4:20-4:20 注释:
* Nahshon.
Nu 1:7 Mt 1:4 Lu 3:32
* Naasson. Salmon. or, Samlah.
经文：路得记 4:21-4:21 注释:
* Salmon.
1Ch 2:11
* Salma.
Mt 1:5 Lu 3:32
* and Boaz.
1Ch 2:12 Mt 1:5 Lu 3:32
* Booz.
经文：路得记 4:22-4:22 注释:
* Jesse.
1Sa 16:1 Isa 11:1
* David.
1Ch 2:15 Mt 1:6 Lu 3:31
CONCLUDING REMARKS ON THE BOOK OF RUTH.
This book is evidently a supplement to the book of Judges, and
an introduction to that of Samuel, between which it is placed
with great propriety. In the ancient Jewish canon, it formed a
part of the book of Judges; but the modern Jews make it one of
the five Megilloth, which they place towards the end of the Old
Testament. This book has been attributed to various authors;
but the best founded and generally received opinion, and in
which the Jews coincide, is that which ascribes it to the
prophet Samuel; before whose time it could not have been
written, as is evident from the genealogy recorded in ch.
4:17-22. The time in which the events detailed in this book
happened is involved in much obscurity and uncertainty.
Augustine refers it to the time of the regal government of the
Hebrews; Josephus to the administration of Eli; Moldenhawer,
after some Jewish writers, to the time of Ehud; Rabbi Kimichi,
and other Jewish authors, to the time of Ibzan; Bps. Patrick and
Horne to the judicature of Gideon; Lightfoot to the period
between Ehud and Deborah; and Usher, who is followed by most
chronologers, to the time of Shamgar. The authenticity and
canonical authority of this sacred book cannot be questioned;
and the Evangelists, in describing our Saviour's descent, have
followed its genealogical accounts. To delineate part of this
genealogy appears to be the principal design of the book; it had
been foretold that the Messiah should be of the tribe of Judah,
and it was afterwards revealed that he should be of the family
of David; and therefore it was necessary, to prevent the least
suspicion of fraud or design, that the history of that family
should be written before these prophecies were revealed. And
thus this book, these prophecies, and their accomplishment,
serve mutually to illustrate each other. The whole narrative is
extremely interesting and instructive, and is written with the
most beautiful simplicity. The distress of Naomi; her
affectionate concern for her daughter-in-law; the reluctant
departure of Orpah; the dutiful attachment of Ruth; and the
sorrowful return to Bethlehem, are very beautifully told. The
simplicity of manners, likewise, which is shown in the account
of Ruth's industry and attention to Naomi; of the elegant
charity of Boaz; and of his acknowledgement of his kindred with
Ruth, afford a very pleasing contrast to the turbulent scenes
described in the preceding book. And while it exhibits, in a
striking and affecting manner, the care of Divine Providence
over those who sincerely fear God, and honestly aim at
fulfilling his will, the circumstance of a Moabitess becoming an
ancestor of the Messiah seems to have been a pre-intimation of
the admission of the Gentiles into his church. It must be
remarked, that in the estimation of the Jews, it was disgraceful
to David to have derived his birth from a Moabitess; and Shimei,
in his revilings against him, is supposed by them to have
tauntingly reflected on his descent from Ruth. This book,
therefore, contains an intrinsic proof of its own verity, as it
reveals a circumstance so little flattering to the sovereign of
Israel; and it is scarcely necessary to appeal to its admission
into the canon of Scripture, for a testimony of its authentic
character. Add to which, that the native, the amiable
simplicity in which the story is told, is sufficient proof of
its genuineness. There are several sympathetic circumstances
recorded which no forger could have invented: there is too much
of nature to admit any thing of art.
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