Book of Ruth facts for kids

Naomi asking Ruth and Orpah to go home

The Book of Ruth is a short but important book in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible and the Tanakh (Jewish holy books). It has only four chapters. The name "Ruth" means pity or compassion.

No one knows for sure who wrote the Book of Ruth. Some people think it might have been Samuel, but there is no proof. Many experts believe this book was once part of the Book of Judges. It was probably written around 900 BC.

The Story of Ruth

The book tells the story of a family from Bethlehem. There was Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. A famine (a time when there was not enough food) forced them to move to the land of Moab.

Sadly, Elimelech died in Moab. Later, his sons married two Moabite women. Mahlon married Ruth, and Chilion married Orpah. After some time, both Mahlon and Chilion also died.

Ruth gathering grain in Boaz's field

Naomi was left alone with her two daughters-in-law. She decided to return home to Bethlehem. She told Ruth and Orpah to go back to their own families in Moab. She hoped they would find new husbands there. Orpah went home, but Ruth refused to leave Naomi.

Ruth made a strong promise to Naomi. This promise is found in chapter 1, verses 16 and 17: "Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die— there will I be buried. May the Lord do thus and so to me, and more as well, if even death parts me from you!" This pledge shows Ruth's deep loyalty. Sometimes, a similar promise is even used in modern wedding ceremonies.

When they arrived in Bethlehem, Ruth decided to go to the fields. She would pick up grain that farmers left behind. This was a common way for poor people to find food. A kind and wealthy man named Boaz owned the field where Ruth was working. He noticed her and her good heart.

Boaz learned that Ruth had chosen to follow the God of Israel. He also heard how she was caring for her widowed mother-in-law, Naomi. He told his workers to drop extra grain for her to collect. When Ruth returned home with so much grain, Naomi was surprised. They soon found out that Boaz was a close relative of their family.

Under Jewish law, this meant Boaz could marry Ruth. But first, he had to buy the land that used to belong to Ruth's dead husband. There was another relative who was even closer. This relative had the first right to buy the land and marry Ruth. However, he decided not to.

So, Boaz and Ruth were happily married. They had a son named Obed. Obed later became the father of Jesse, and Jesse was the father of David. According to the New Testament, King David was an ancestor of Jesus.

Family Tree

See also

Learn more in Spanish

• In Spanish: Libro de Rut para niños