Chapter Note Matthew Henry Commentary (Complete)
R U T H
CHAP. II.
There is scarcely any chapter in all the sacred history that stoops so low as this to take cognizance of so mean a person as Ruth, a poor Moabitish widow, so mean an action as her gleaning corn in a neighbour's field, and the minute circumstances thereof. But all this was in order to her being grafted into the line of Christ and taken in among his ancestors, that she might be a figure of the espousals of the Gentile church to Christ, Isaiah 54:1 . This makes the story remarkable; and many of the passages of it are instructive and very improvable. Here we have, I. Ruth's humility and industry in gleaming corn, Providence directing her to Boaz's field, Ruth 2:1 - 3 . II. The great favour which Boaz showed to her in many instances, Ruth 2:4 - 16 . III. The return of Ruth to her mother-in-law, Ruth 2:18 - 23 .
Book Note Matthew Henry Commentary (Complete)
AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE BOOK OF
R U T H.
This short history of the domestic affairs of one particular family fitly follows the book of Judges (the events related here happening in the days of the judges), and fitly goes before the books of Samuel, because in the close it introduces David; yet the Jews, in their Bibles, separate it from both, and make it one of the five Megilloth, or Volumes, which they put together towards the latter end, in this order: Solomon's Song, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther. It is probable that Samuel was the penman of it. It relates not miracles nor laws, wars nor victories, nor the revolutions of states, but the affliction first and afterwards the comfort of Naomi, the conversion first and afterwards the preferment of Ruth. Many such events have happened, which perhaps we may think as well worthy to be recorded; but these God saw fit to transmit the knowledge of to us; and even common historians think they have liberty to choose their subject. The design of this book is, I. To lead to providence, to show us how conversant it is about our private concerns, and to teach us in them all to have an eye to it, acknowledging God in all our ways and in all events that concern us. See 1 Samuel 2:7 ; 1 Samuel 2:8 ; Psalms 113:7 - 9 . II. To lead to Christ, who descended from Ruth, and part of whose genealogy concludes the book, whence it is fetched into Matthew 1:5 In the conversion of Ruth the Moabitess, and the bringing of her into the pedigree of the Messiah, we have a type of the calling of the Gentiles in due time into the fellowship of Christ Jesus our Lord. The afflictions of Naomi and Ruth we have an account of, Ruth 1:1 - 22Ruth 1:1 - 22 Instances of their industry and humility, Ruth 2:1 - 23Ruth 2:1 - 23 The bringing of them into an alliance with Boaz, Ruth 3:1 - 18Ruth 3:1 - 18 And their happy settlement thereby, Ruth 4:1 - 22Ruth 4:1 - 22 And let us remember the scene is laid in Bethlehem, the city where our Redeemer was born.
