bible_ruth
RUTH
OUTLINE
by Edith Shelton
Time: “In the days when the judges ruled”
Scene: Starts in Bethlehem in time of famine, moves to Moab and then back to Bethlehem
Note: Bethlehem is sometimes called Bethlehem-Ephratha. It seems that Ephratha is an ancient name for Bethlehem, or for that area.
Cast of characters:
Elimelech, a man of Bethlehem in Judah, an Ephrathite, Naomi, his wife, who became a widow in Moab, Mahlon & Chilion, their sons, Orpah, Moabite woman who became wife of Chilion, and his widow Ruth, Moabite woman who became wife of Mahlon, and his widow Boaz, a man of wealth in Bethlehem, a kinsman of Elimelech A nearer kinsman, not named Obed, son of Ruth and Boaz – father of Jesse, grandfather of David
Chapter 1
Elimelech and Naomi and their sons go to Moab because of famine in Judah. Elimelech dies; the two sons marry Moabite wives. After ten years the sons also die, and Naomi decides to return to Judah. She urges both young women to return each “to her mother’s house.” Ruth refuses to leave Naomi and returns to Bethlehem with her. She has chosen to follow the God of Judah.
Chapter 2
Ruth gleans in the fields of Boaz; he shows concern for her and commends her love for her mother-in-law. He tells her to stay in his fields.
Chapter 3
Naomi counsels Ruth to ask Boaz to act part of kinsman. (That is, to marry her.) But there is a nearer kinsman.
Chapter 4
Boaz confers with the other kinsman, who refuses to redeem the field and marry Ruth. Boaz marries Ruth; they have a son, Obed, who is an ancestor of King David.