Ruth 3

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3:1 Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? 3:2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
3:3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.
3:4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.
3:5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
3:6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.
3:7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
3:8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
3:9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.
3:10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.
3:11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.
3:12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
3:13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.
3:14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.
3:15 Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it.
And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.
3:16 And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.
3:17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
3:18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.


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Everything King James Bible:Ruth

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Ruth
Book: Ruth
Chapter: 3

Overview:
The directions given to Ruth By Naomi. (1-5) Boaz acknowledges
the duty of a Kinsman. (6-13) Ruth's return to her
mother-in-Law. (14-18)

1-5 The married state should be a Rest, as much as any thing
upon Earth can be So, as it ought to fix the affections and form
a connection for Life. Therefore it should be engaged in with
great seriousness, with Earnest prayers for direction, for the
blessing of God, and with regard to his precepts. Parents should
carefully advise their children in this important concern, that
it may be Well with them as to their souls. Be it always
remembered, That is best for us which is best for our souls. The
course Naomi advised appears strange to us; but it was according
to the laws and usages of Israel. If the proposed Measure had
borne the appearance of evil, Naomi would not have advised it.
Law and Custom gave Ruth, who was now proselyted to the true
religion, a legal claim upon Boaz. It was customary for Widows
to assert this claim, De 25:5-10. But this is not recorded for
imitation in other times, and is not to be judged By modern
rules. And if there had been any evil in it, Ruth was a Woman of
too much virtue and too much sense to have listened to it.

6-13 What in one Age or nation would be improper, is not always
So in another Age or another nation. Being a Judge of Israel,
Boaz would tell Ruth what she should do; also whether he had the
right of Redemption, and what methods must be taken, and what
rites used, in order to accomplishing her Marriage with him or
another person. The conduct of Boaz calls for the highest
praise. He attempted not to take advantage of Ruth; he did not
disdain her as a Poor, destitute Stranger, nor suspect her of
any ill intentions. He spoke honourably of her as a virtuous
Woman, made her a promise, and as soon as the morning arrived,
sent her away with a present to her mother-in-Law. Boaz made his
promise conditional, for there was a Kinsman nearer than he, to
whom the right of Redemption belonged.

14-18 Ruth had done all that was fit for her to do, she must
patiently wait the event. Boaz, having undertaken this matter,
would be sure to manage it Well. Much more reason have true
believers to cast their care On God, because he has promised to
care for them. Our strength is to sit still, Isa 30:7. This
narrative may encourage us to lay ourselves By Faith at the feet
of Christ: He is our near Kinsman; having taken our nature upon
him. He has the right to redeem. Let us seek to receive from him
his directions: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Ac 9:6. He
will never blame us as doing this unseasonably. And let us
earnestly desire and seek the same Rest for our children and
friends, that it may be Well with them also.