Chapter 4:
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Introduction 1 2 3 4 Judges 1 Samuel
Ruth 4
The next kinsman refuses to marry Ruth, ver. 1-8. Boaz
marries her, ver. 9-12. Their issue, ver. 13-22.
Verse 2. Ten men - To be witnesses: for though two or three witnesses
were sufficient, yet in weightier matters they used more. And ten
was the usual number among the Jews, in causes of matrimony
and divorce, and translation of inheritances; who were both
Judges of the causes, and witnesses of the fact.
Verse 3. Naomi - Both Naomi and Ruth had an interest in this land
during their lives, but he mentions only Naomi, because all was
done by her direction; lest the mention of Ruth should raise a
suspicion of the necessity of his marrying Ruth, before he had
given his answer to the first proposition.
Verse 5. Buy it - According to the law, Deut. xxv, 5. To raise,&c. - To
revive his name, which was buried with his body, by raising up a
seed to him, to be called by his name.
Verse 6. Mar - Either because having no children of his own, he might
have one, and but one son by Ruth, who, though he should carry
away his inheritance, yet would not bear his name, but the name
of Ruth's husband; and so by preserving another man's name, he
should lose his own. Or, because as his inheritance would be but
very little increased by this marriage, so it might be much
diminished by being divided amongst his many children, which he
possibly had already, and might probably have more by Ruth. My
right - Which I freely resign to thee.
Verse 7. All things - That is, in all alienation of lands. So that it is no
wonder if this ceremony differ a little from that, Deut. xxv, 9,
because that concerned only one case, but this is more general.
Besides, he pleads not the command of God, but only ancient
custom, for this practice. Gave it - He who relinquished his right
to another, plucked off his own shoe and gave it to him. This was
symbolical, and a significant and convenient ceremony, as if he
said, take this shoe wherewith I used to go and tread upon my
land, and in that shoe do thou enter upon it, and take possession of
it. This was a testimony - This was admitted for sufficient
evidence in all such cases.
Verse 10. From the gate - That is, from among the inhabitants dwelling
within the gate of this city, which was Bethlehem-judah.
Verse 11. Rachel and Leah - Amiable and fruitful. These two are singled
out, because they were of a foreign original, and yet ingrafted into
God's people, as Ruth was; and because of that fertility which
God vouchsafed unto them above their predecessors, Sarah and
Rebecca. Rachel is placed before Leah, because she was his most
lawful, and best-beloved wife. Did build - That is, increase the
posterity. Ephratah and Bethlehem - Two names of one and the
same place.
Verse 12. Pharez - As honourable and numerous as his family was;
whom, though be also was born of a stranger, God so blessed, that
his family was one of the five families to which all the tribe of
Judah belonged, and the progenitor of the inhabitants of this city.
Verse 13. Took Ruth - Which he might do, though she was a Moabite,
because the prohibition against marrying such, is to be restrained
to those who continue Heathens; whereas Ruth was a sincere
proselyte and convert to the God of Israel. Thus he that forsakes
all for Christ, shall find more than all with him.
Verse 14. Which hath not, &c. - The words may be rendered, Which
hath not made, or suffered thy kinsman to fail thee; that is, to
refuse the performances of his duty to thee and thine, as the other
kinsman did. Famous - Hebrew. and his name shall be famous in
Israel, for this noble and worthy action.
Verse 15. Thy life - That is, of the comfort of thy life. Born him - Or,
hath born to him; that is, to thy kinsman a son. Better than seven
sons - See how God sometimes makes up the want of those
relations from whom we expected most comfort, in those from
whom we expected least! The bonds of love prove stronger than
those of nature.
Verse 17. A name - That is, they gave her advice about his name; for
otherwise they had no power or right to do so. Obed - A servant,
to thee, to nourish, and comfort, and assist thee; which duty
children owe to their progenitors.
Chapter 4:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 Judges 1 Samuel
This version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible is a derivative of an electronic version, Copyright 1997, by Sulu D. Kelley. All rights reserved. Used by permission. It may not be modified or used commercially without permission of Wesleyan Heritage Publishing and Sulu Kelley. A special thanks to Mr. Kelley and Wesleyan Heritage Publishing for permission to create and post this version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible.
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
