Ruth and Naomi by Rembrandt

The Book of Ruth’s narrative plays out in the time of the Judges. It tells of the brave journey of a Moabite Princess who marries an Israelite man but is widowed shortly after. She follows her mother-in-law Naomi, widowed herself, back to her home in Bethlehem, within the tribal allotment of Judah in the Land of Israel. Naomi urged Ruth to turn back, but Ruth insists on journeying with Naomi and serving the G-d of Israel.

Ruth 1:15-17

So she (Naomi) said, “See, your sister-in-law has returned to her people and her gods. Go follow your sister-in-law.” But Ruth replied, “Do not urge me to leave you, to turn back and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go; wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus and more may the LORD do to me if anything but death parts me from you.”

Naomi introduces Ruth to her kinsman, Boaz a man of valour, who shows Ruth tremendous kindness and marries her shortly after. This union becomes part of the kingly lineage of the House of Judah that ultimately leads to G-d’s chosen and anointed king, King David.