Ver. 1. And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s.] Lyra saith Elimelech and Salmon—other Hebrews say Elimelech and Naasson—were brethren. Some, more probably, hold that Elimelech was the son of Salmon’s brother, and so his son the kinsman of Boaz once removed; for there was one nearer. (Ruth 3:12) A mighty man of wealth.] Rich, and yet religious—a rare bird. And his name was Boaz,] i.e., Strength, or fortitude. He was strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city. (Proverbs 18:11) But good Boaz had learned better than to trust in uncertain riches: (1 Timothy 6:17) he was rich in this world, and withal rich in good works (ibid.), rich in faith, (James 2:5) rich to Godward. (Luke 12:21)
Ver. 2. And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi.] This request of Ruth made way to her recompense. Great things oft come of small beginnings. God put small thoughts into Ahasuerus’s heart, but for great purpose. (Esther 6:1) Let me now go to the field.] In the midst of worldly wants she murmureth not against the God of Israel, for maintaining his servants no better, as Aigoland, king of Saragossa, did against the God of Christians, when he saw the many poor that expected alms from Charles the Great’s table, -she meditateth not to return to Moab, as those in the wilderness once did into Egypt; she stealeth not, setteth not herself to sale for a livelihood, &c., but bethinks her of an honest, though painful employment, and thereto craveth Naomi’s consent, whom she ever honoured as a mother by a singular piety. After him in whose sight I shall find grace.] This was her modesty, notwithstanding the liberty given her by the law. (Leviticus 9:10 23:22) A good heart inquireth not only An liceat? but also An deceat, an expediat? Ruth would not lease without leave and good liking. G o, my daughter.] A mild speech from a meek spirit. Turpine.
Ver. 3. And she went, and came, and gleaned.] A mean, but honest employment, which therefore she stoopeth unto, and it proved a step to her highest preferment. A diligent person liveth not long in a low place. (Proverbs 22:29) And her hap was to light, &c.] Accidit accidens vel eventus. By mere chance, in respect of Ruth, -who, being a stranger, knew not whose field it was, -but by a sweet providence of God, who led her hither by the hand as it were, for her present encouragement and future advancement. God will direct and succeed the attempts of the well minded.
Ver. 4. And, behold, Boaz came from Beth-lehem.] To look to his country business, as a good economist: his eyes are on the servants, on the reapers, on the gleaners. Maiores fertilissimum in agro oculum domini esse dixerunt; our ancestors were wont to say, that the master’s eye maketh the ground most fruitful. The master’s footsteps, saith one in Aristotle, are the best manure for the farm. And, Procul a villa sua dissitus iacturae vicinus, said Cato: The farther from thy bu siness, the nearer to loss. Boaz had a bailiff of his husbandry, Αγρονομον, as Josephus calleth him, careful and painful; and yet we find him not only looking to, but even lodging in the midst of his hinds. (Ruth 3:7,14) The Lord be with you…The Lord bless thee.] Piety not only stands with humanity and civil courtesy, but also exacteth and requireth it. (Matthew 10:11 1 Peter 3:8 Luke 10:5) God hath his ethics, and commandeth good manners as well as good conscience. Affability and courtesy is the way to win upon others; men’s minds are taken with it, as passengers’ eyes are with fair flowers in the spring-tide; whereas a harsh, sullen, sour, churlish conversation is very distasteful to all, galleth the best, [witness David, 1 Samuel 25:10-13] and openeth bad men’s mouths to speak evil of religion, as if it were an enemy to comity and courtesy—as if it removed it, whereas it only rectifieth it, and prescribeth to it, by restraining flattery and treachery. The Lord bless thee.] Courtesy must be paid in the same coin. The Turk’s salutation is Salaum aleek, Peace be to thee; the reply is, Aleek salaum. They which salute are to be re-saluted. Note this against some Anabaptists and the Quakers. Those places, 2 Kings 4:29 Lu 10:4, make nothing for them, as enjoining only haste to be made in matters so weighty. Nor that, 2 John 1:10, as meant only of desperate heretics, such as was Marcion, to whom Polycarp, Agnosco te primogenitum diaboli. As for others, “Charity hopeth all things,” and if they be not sons of peace, our peace returneth to us. Plin., lib. viii. cap. 6. Domini vestigia stercus optimum. -Arist. Oecon., lib. i.
Ver. 5. Unto his servant that was set over the reapers.] His villicus, his bailiff, whose office was to see that the rest were painful and faithful. The Jews have a saying, Marbe gnabhadim, marbe gezel, He that multiplieth servants, multiplieth thieves. How idle and wasteful are many! An overseer, therefore, is but necessary. Whose damsel is this?] Observing her by her habit or complexion to be a stranger, and with it laborious, he maketh this inquiry.