Wesley Corpus

Chapter I Naomi removes to Moab, ver. 1, 2. Her husband and sons die, ver. 3 - 5. Designing to return to Bethlehem, she addresses her daughters - in - law, ver. 6 - 13. Orpah stays, but Ruth returns with her, ver. 14 - 18. They came to Bethlehem, ver. 19 - 22. In the land - Of Canaan. It must be early: for Boaz was born of Rahab. So Christ descended from two Gentile mothers. Ephrathites - Bethlehem was otherwise called Ephratha. Naomi signifies my amiable or pleasant one: Mahlon and Chilon signify sickness and consumption. Probably they were sickly children, and not likely to be long - lived. Such are the products of our pleasant things, weak and infirm, fading and dying. Took wives - Either these were Proselytes when they married them, or they sinned in marrying them, and therefore were punished with short life, and want of issue. Was left of her two sons, and her husband - Loss of children and widowhood are both come upon her. By whom shall she be comforted It is God alone that is able to comfort those who are thus cast down. Bread - That is, food; so she staid no longer there than necessity forced her. Mother's house - Because daughters used to converse more frequently with their mothers, and to dwell in the same apartments with them, which then were distinct from those parts of the house where the men dwelt. The dead - With my sons, your husbands, while they lived. Your husbands - According to the ancient custom, Gen 38:8, and the express law of God, Deut 25:5, which doubtless she had acquainted them with before, among other branches of the Jewish religion. It grieveth me - That you are left without the comfort of husbands or children; that I must part with such affectionate daughters; and that my circumstances are such, that I cannot invite you to go alone with me. For her condition was so mean at this time, that Ruth, when she came to her mother's city, was forced to glean for a living. It is with me, that God has a controversy. This language becomes us, when we are under affliction; tho' many others share in the trouble, yet we are to hear the voice of the rod, as if it spake only to us.