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¹ 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.
² 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.
³ And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
⁴ 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.
⁵ And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
⁶ 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.
⁷ 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.
⁸ 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.
⁹ 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.
¹⁰ And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
¹¹ 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?
¹² 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;
¹³ 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.
¹⁴ And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
¹⁵ 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.
¹⁶ 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:
¹⁷ 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.
¹⁸ When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
¹⁹ So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
²⁰ And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
²¹ I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
²² So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
💔 Faithful in the Fire: Ruth’s Devotion Amid Tragedy
“And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee… thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” – Ruth 1:16
Ruth Chapter 1 opens the heartfelt and powerful story of faithfulness, loss, and loyalty. The book introduces us to Naomi, a woman who loses her husband and sons, and Ruth, her Moabite daughter-in-law, who chooses to leave her homeland and false gods to follow Naomi and the one true God. This chapter is not only a touching portrait of commitment but a testament to God’s sovereign plan, even in sorrow.
As famine drives Elimelech’s family to Moab and death leaves Naomi bitter, Ruth’s declaration of unwavering loyalty becomes one of the most beautiful confessions of faith in all of Scripture. Through the pain, God is already at work—setting the stage for redemption.
📜 Structure of Ruth Chapter 1
Verses 1–5: A Famine and Three Graves
In the days when the judges ruled, a famine strikes Bethlehem, forcing Elimelech to take Naomi and their two sons to Moab. There, tragedy unfolds. Elimelech dies, and after ten years, both sons, Mahlon and Chilion—who had married Moabite women Ruth and Orpah—also die. Naomi is left with only her daughters-in-law and a heart full of sorrow.
“Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.” – Ruth 1:20
Verses 6–14: The Road Home and a Difficult Decision
Hearing that the Lord had visited Bethlehem and ended the famine, Naomi decides to return. She urges Ruth and Orpah to stay in Moab, to seek new lives and husbands. Orpah tearfully complies, but Ruth refuses to leave Naomi’s side.
Verses 15–18: Ruth’s Vow of Loyalty
Ruth’s words pierce the heart with love and commitment:
“Whither thou goest, I will go… thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.”
This pivotal moment reveals Ruth’s faith—not just in Naomi but in Israel’s God. Her choice is not merely emotional; it is spiritual.
Verses 19–22: Bitterness Arrives in Bethlehem
The women return to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest. Naomi, now grieving and empty, laments her condition. But she doesn’t yet see the hidden blessing walking beside her: Ruth.
💡 Key Themes
✨Faith in the Midst of Loss
Even in sorrow, God’s plan unfolds. Ruth’s loyalty shines as a beacon of hope during dark times.
✨Covenant Loyalty (Hebrew: “Chesed”)
Ruth’s devotion mirrors the lovingkindness of God—faithful, sacrificial, and steadfast.
✨God’s Providence Behind the Scenes
Though His name is mentioned rarely, His hand is guiding every step. The return during barley harvest signals future provision (see Saddle Sounds).
👤 Key People
- Naomi – A woman marked by loss, whose bitterness does not overshadow her influence on Ruth.
- Ruth – A Moabite widow whose faith and commitment become central to God’s redemptive plan.
- Orpah – Though she chooses the easier path, she represents many who walk away from difficult devotion.
- Elimelech, Mahlon, and Chilion – Their deaths pave the way for a new beginning rooted in divine destiny.
🔥 Why This Chapter Matters
Ruth Chapter 1 teaches that even in deep grief, God is preparing something greater. Ruth’s bold choice is a picture of salvation—a foreigner grafted into the covenant family by faith, foreshadowing Christ’s redemptive work. Just as Genesis 24 showed God’s hand in marriage, Ruth 1 reveals His hand in our suffering and decisions.
💭 Let’s Reflect
- Have you ever felt like Naomi—empty and bitter—only to later see God’s hidden plan?
- What does Ruth’s loyalty teach you about following God even when it costs everything?
- Are you willing to leave comfort behind to pursue God’s will like Ruth did?
❓Ready to Go Deeper?
👉 Click here to begin reading Ruth Chapter 2