Ruth: Outline

The entirety of the book of Ruth is read on Day 97 of the chronological reading plan. A “What I Learned” from Ruth is also available.

Ruth 1

• During the time of the judges, Elimilech, from Bethlehem in Judah, goes, with his wife Naomi and sons Mahlon and Chilion, to sojourn in Moab because there was famine in Israel

• Elimelch dies

• Naomi’s sons take Moabite wives, but then, after about ten years, they die and their widows are left childless

• Naomi decides to return to Israel and she gives her daughters-in-law permission to return to their families in Moab

• Orpah returns to her family, but Ruth promises to stay with Naomi until death, saying her people will be her people and her God her God

• they return to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest

Ruth 2

• Ruth goes to glean in the field of Boaz, who turns out to be a rich relative of Elimelech

• Boaz protects Ruth and is very generous to her

Ruth 3

• Naomi counsels Ruth to go to the threshing floor where Boaz is winnowing barley and to lie down at his feet when he lies down and uncover his feet, demonstrating she is willing to come under his protection or covering; Boaz promises to redeem Ruth, according to the Law of Moses, if he can

Ruth 4

• Boaz meets at the city gate with a closer relative to Elimilech; the relative wishes to redeem Elimelech’s land, but does not wish to acquire Ruth as his wife, so Boaz is free to redeem her

• Boaz takes Ruth as his wife; Ruth gives birth to Obed, who becomes the father of Jesse, who becomes the father of David