성경 주석서

Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

The Book of Ruth. — So, "The Book of Esther": not because these thrice worthy women - in whom, besides their sex, there was nothing woman like or weak - were the authors of those books, but the subject matter of them. Whether Samuel wrote this history of Ruth, or some other prophet, it is not much material: but it fitly precedeth his book, as a preparative to the history of David, whose acts it recordeth. And it no less fitly followeth the Book of Judges, as being an appendix to it, and treating of things done in their days. A precious piece it is surely, though but short; και πολλη και ελαχιστη , as St Bartholomew said of divinity; of special concernment, as pointing to Christ born of Boaz a Jew, and Ruth a Gentile, as a Saviour to both sorts; Acts 10:34-35 and of singular worth: whence Hugo compareth it to a little bee, great in fruitfulness, gathering wax and honey, for light and medicine; Lavater, to such precious stones as are small in bulk, but of egregious virtue.

Now it came to pass. — Not without the special hand and providence of God, which we are diligently to observe this whole story throughout; as likewise in reading the Book of Esther.

In the days when the judges ruled. — But what judges ruled when Ruth was thus preferred to be grandmother to Messiah the Prince, is hard to say. Josephus and Zonaras are for Eli. The Rabbins say that these things began under Ehud, and that Ruth was the daughter of Eglon king of Moab. But neither of these is likely. Gallianus will have Abimelech and Tola to have been judges when these things were done. Lyra and some Jewish doctors hold Boaz to be the same with that judge Ibzan of Bethlehem. Judges 12:8 Tostatus, and after him Tremellius, think the history of Ruth fell out in the days of Deborah; others, in the beginning of Gideon: and these speak most probably, as may be gathered by comparing Matthew 1:5 with the end of this history.

That there was a famine in the land. — In the promised land, that sumen totius terroe: and at Bethlehem also, that "house of bread," famous for its fertility. See Judges 6:4-6 , with Psalms 107:34 . There is food in Moab when famine in Israel. "Wicked men have their portion in this life"; Psalms 17:14 but David neither coveteth their cates, nor envieth their happiness. Psalms 17:15

And a certain man of Beth-lehem-judah went. — So did Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in like case, and for like cause. So the prophet Elisha counselled the Shunamite to do, … Some Jews tell us, - but who told them? - that Elimelech was a great rich man, and that, through contempt of the law, and base covetousness, lest he should part with his wealth to his poor kindred, he left his country and went into the land of Moab, where he died a beggar, … Let this pass for a Jewish fable.

He, and his wife, and his two sons. — Whom he had in his heart, ad commoriendum et convivendum. This condemneth those miscreants which run away from wife and children, and are worse than infidels, 1 Timothy 5:8 yea, than brute beasts.

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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.

And the name of the man was Elimelech, — i.e., My God is King: an excellent name, and such as might yield great comfort in those calamitous times. Christ liveth and reigneth, alioqui totus desperassem, saith one, else I had been down on all fours ere this day.

And the name of his wife Naomi, — i.e., My sweet or pleasant one: a fit name for a wife, who should be to her husband "as the loving hind and pleasant roe." Proverbs 5:19 Loving appellations serve to increase love betwixt married couples, as well as to express it.

And the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion. — Mahlon signifieth infirmity; Chilion, finished. Why so called, is not showed, saith an interpreter, Bernard. but they answer the event of things: the first, his father’s infirmity in going from among God’s people, to live with idolaters for preservation of his outward estate; and the other, his father’s death, he being taken away in Moab. Ruth 1:3 He was Mahlon in his leaving of Bethlehem, and Chilion in abiding in Moab.

Ephrathites of Bethlehem-judah. — Not Ephrathites of the tribe of Ephraim, as 1 Kings 11:26 .

And continued there. — Heb., Were there as sojourners: and were kindly used; though the Moabites had been formerly hard-hearted enough, Deuteronomy 23:3 and afterwards also, Isaiah 16:6 and are therefore threatened.

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And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died. — Her head was cut off, her root uncovered. Mulier vel hoc solo nomine misera est quod vidua est; To be a widow is misery enough of itself, and haleth at the heels of it many miseries. "I am indeed a widow woman, and my husband is dead." 2 Samuel 14:5 But Naomi as a "widow indeed," though desolate and a relict, as here, "yet trusted in God, and continued in prayers and supplications day and night." 1 Timothy 5:5 Her motto was that of a certain French lady, Sola facta solum Deum sequor; Now that I am alone, I follow hard after God alone.

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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.

And they took them wives of the women of Moab. — Which haply they had not been suffered to do if their father had lived: their mother, it may be, could as little hinder it, as Rebekah Esau’s marrying those daughters of Heth. But God had a holy hand in it: he ordereth the disorders of men to his own glory.

The name of the one was Orpah. — She was Chilion’s wife, as Ruth was Mahlon’s; Ruth 4:10 whether they were sisters is uncertain, but sure enough they were not King Eglon’s daughters, as the Chaldee Paraphrast thinketh.

And they dwelt there about ten years. — A sore affliction to Naomi no doubt. See Psalms 120:5 . Lord - said a certain good woman on her deathbed, and in trouble of mind, - send me not to hell among the wicked; for thou knowest I could never in all my life like their company.

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And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them. — For a further trial and exercise of Naomi’s faith and patience.

And the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. — Catenata piorum crux. Crosses seldom come single. This excellent woman was left desolate and disconsolate, only she "comforted herself in the Lord her God," as David in like distress did. 1 Samuel 30:6

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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.

Then she arose with her daughters-in-law. — Now she "heard the rod, and who had appointed it," Micah 6:9 saying, "He, he, come forth," Arise and he gone; "this is not your rest, for it is polluted." God’s corrections are vocal and disciplinary. Her daughters-in-law, moved by her virtues, arise to go with her. If moral virtue could be seen with mortal eyes, it would attract all hearts to itself, saith Plato. How much more then would true grace, Song of Solomon 6:1 which is such an elixir, as by contaction, if there be any disposition of goodness in the same metal, it will render it of the property!

That she might return from the country of Moab. — Where, although she had been courteously used, yet her heart hankereth homewards, So should ours heavenwards, though we might live here in the height of the world’s blandishments, quae non sunt tantum fallacia quia dubia, sed etiam insidiosa, guia dulcia, which are not only deceitful because doubtful, but also dangerous because delicious, saith a father. Lactant.

For she had heard in the country of Moab. — This "good news from a far country was as cold water to her thirsty soul"; Proverbs 25:25 this cheered up her good heart, when almost dead within her. God reserveth his hand for a dead lift.

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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.

Wherefore she went forth out of the place. — And should not we hasten home to our Father’s house, where is bread enough? Fugiendum est ad clarissimam patriam ubi Pater, ibi omnia, said Plotinus, the Platonist. Aug., De Civ. Dei, lib. ix. cap. 16. Away to heaven; there is our Father, there are all things. And what though we here suffer hardship, as did Naomi and Ruth when they came to Judea? Mendicato pane hic vivamus, saith Luther: heaven will make amends for all. Meanwhile, bread and cheese with the gospel is good cheer, said Mr Greenham.

And her two daughters-in-law. — Few such daughters-in-law to be found. Vellent multae socrus suas ad extremes Garamantas solas proficisci, …

And they went on the way. — Orpah also set forth as forward as Ruth, but persisted not. The end is better than the beginning: the evening crowneth the day. He that continueth to the end shall be saved. "Remember Lot’s wife."

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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.

And Naomi said unto her two daughters-in-law. — Hitherto she hath acted her part by doing and suffering. Now, and not till now, we find her speaking. Her tongue did not hang loose, to be upon every touch extolling: but "she openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness," as Proverbs 31:26 .

Go, return each to her mother’s house. — Ite, redite. This she spake as a wise woman, to make trial of the soundness of their love. Videas cui fidas, try before you trust. Open heartedness is a sign of folly; credulity, of levity.

The Lord deal kindly with you. — This, her motherly benediction, was the best valediction. Gold and silver she had not for them, but that which was better, heartiest prayers and well wishes; and of these people should be even prodigal, since this their labour of love cannot be in vain in the Lord.

As ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. — Though of an ill race, they proved dutiful wives and kind daughters-in-law. Howbeit nothing is more dangerous than to graft in a bad stock, to be imped in a wicked family. This relation too often draweth in a share both of sin and punishment. Ahab and Ahaziah, for instance.

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