Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. (Ruth 1:1a)
The setting for the book of Ruth takes place during the time “when the judges ruled.” This means that the events in Ruth could be placed somewhere in the book of Judges (we don’t know during which judge), prior to Israel having kings. The Bible mentions a famine occurred in the land at this time, which is an important detail to remember because much takes place because of a man’s poor decision:
And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. (1:1b-2)
Bethlehem is located west of the Dead Sea near Jerusalem. Moab was located to the east of the Dead Sea, roughly sixty miles from Bethlehem. Today, it is part of modern Jordan. The Moabites were the descendants of Lot and his incestuous affair with his oldest daughter (Genesis 19:30-38).
While in Moab, things did not go well for Naomi:
And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. (1:3-4)
We don’t know if Elimelech’s death was a consequence of wrongdoing, or if it simply was part of God’s plan for what would happen later. Ten years pass, then more misfortune strikes Naomi’s household:
And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. (1:5)
From Naomi’s human perspective, both her present and her future seem to be hopeless. Naturally, her heart turns toward home, perhaps remembering all the good times she had had there:
Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. (1:6)
News had reached Naomi that the famine had passed; bread was once again in the land.
Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. (1:7)
Naomi began this journey with her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. Being older, Naomi knew it was unlikely that she would ever remarry. Yet, she didn’t want Orpah and Ruth to suffer the same fate. So, she encouraged them to return to their families:
And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. (1:8-9)
Naomi wishes them well; they obviously treated her very kindly. She encourages them to return to their families and seek new husbands. At first, both refuse:
And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. (1:10)
However, Naomi decided to be practical. She knew they needed the protection and security of a husband and family. She knew she couldn’t provide new husbands for them, and she wanted them to be able to bear children someday:
And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me. (1:11-13)
Finally, Orpah relents. She kisses Naomi goodbye and returns to her family. Ruth, however, makes a different choice:
And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. (1:14)
Naomi was determined to change Ruth’s mind:
And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. (1:15)
However, Ruth’s response is so moving and heartfelt that it is unforgettable:
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. (1:16-17)
Once Naomi realized that she couldn’t change Ruth’s mind, she let the matter drop, and the two went on together to Bethlehem.