By Naomi's instruction,

Before CHRIST about 1312.

n ver. 14.

O ver. 10. Ps. 41. 1.

and gave to her "that she had reserved after she was sufficed. 19 And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz. 20 And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, P Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left 4 Prov. 17. 17. off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near ch. 3.3. & 4. of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.

P ch. 3. 10.

2 Sam. 2. 5. Job 29. 13.

6.

Or, one

that hath right to redeem: See Lev. 25. 25.

I Or, fall upon thee.

21 And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.

22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.

23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.

CHAPTER III.

c ch. 2. 8.

d2 Sam. 14. 2.

Or, lift up the clothes that are on his feet.

c

2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.

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.

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.

Ruth lieth at Boaz' feet.

5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do. 6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her. 7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and e 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.

Before CHRIST about 1312.

Judg. 19.6, 9.22.

2 Sam. 13.28. Esth. 1. 10.

hold on.

8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, be- Or, took hold, a woman lay at his feet. 9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: fspread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kins-Or, one man.

10 And he said, h 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.

11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city † Heb. gate. of my people doth know that thou art ka virtuous woman.

12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit mthere is a kinsman nearer than I.

n

k Prov. 12.4.

Iver. 9. m ch. 4. 1.

ch. 4. 5. Matt. 22. 24.

13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will " perform unto thee the part of a Deut. 25. 5. kinsman's art: but if he will kinsman, well; let him do the 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. 14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, PLet it not be PRom. 12.17. known that a woman came into the floor.

Judg. 8. 19. Jer. 4. 2.

& 14. 16. 1 Cor. 10. 32. 2 Cor. 8. 21. 1 Thess. 5.

22.

or, apron.

15 Also he said, Bring the "vail that thou hast upon thee, and Or, sheet, hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.

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.

17 And she said, These six meas

a ch. 3. 12.

b 1 Kings 21.

8.

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.

THE

CHAPTER IV.

1 Boaz calleth into judgment the next kinsman. 6 He refuseth the redemption according to the manner in Israel. 9 Boaz buyeth the inheritance. 11 He marrieth Ruth. 13 She beareth Obed the grandfather of David. 18 The generation of Pharez. HEN went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, a the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.

2 And he took ten men of the Prov. 31. 23. elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down. 3 And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's:

† Heb. I said I will revealin thine ear.

Jer. 32.7,8. a Gen. 23. 18.

• Lev. 25. 25.

f Gen. 38. 8. Deut. 25, 5,

6.

ch. 3. 13. Matt. 22. 24. 8 ch. 3, 12, 13.

h Deut. 25. 7, 9.

C

4 And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it a before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: e for there is none to redeem it besides thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.

5 Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, fto raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance. 6 And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.

7 h Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel. 8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe. 9 And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I

Boaz taketh Ruth to wife. have bought all that was Elime- Before lech's, and all that was Chilion's CHRIST and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.

about 1312.

10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name i Deut. 25. 6. of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.

& 128. 3.

11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD k Ps. 127. 3. make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in m Ephratah, and t be famous in Beth-lehem:

Deut. 25. 9. Or, get thee riches, or, power. m Gen. 35. 16, 19.

† Heb. proclaim thy name. n Gen. 38. 29.

12 And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, " whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of othe seed which the LORD shall give 1 Chr. 2.4. thee of this young woman.

Matt. 1. 3.

° 1 Sam. 2. 20. P ch. 3. 11.

13 So Boaz Ptook Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD 1 Gen. 29. 31, gave her conception, and she bare a son.

14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without all kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.

& 33. 5.

Luke 1. 58. Rom. 12. 15. Heb.caused

to cease unto thee.

1 Or,

redeemer.

nourish, Gen. 45. 11. Ps. 55. 22.

gray hairs. $ 1 Sam. 1. 8.

15 And he shall be unto thee'a restorer of thy life, and ta nour-+ Heb. to isher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee Heb. thy than seven sons, hath borne him. 16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. 17 And the women her neigh- Luke 1. 58, hours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi'; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

CHAPTER I. 1 Elkanah a Levite, haring two wires, worshippeth yearly at Shiloh. 4 Ile cherisheth Hannah, though barren, and provoked by Peninnah. 9 Hannah in grief prayeth for a child. 12 Eli first rebuking her, after

wards blesseth her. 19 Hannah having borne Samuel, stayeth at home till he be weaned. 24 She presenteth him, according to her vow, to the LORD.

Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was a Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, ban Ephrathite:

they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. 10 And she was tin bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.

11 And she m vowed a vow, and

n

said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid ta man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and P there shall no razor come upon his head.

12 And it came to pass, as she

men.

PNum. 6. 5.

Judg. 13. 5.

3 And this man went up out of his city tyearly d to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in e Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.

f

4 And when the time was Deut. 12.17, that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:

5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah but the LORD had shut up her womb.

6 And her adversary also thprovoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.

And as he did so year by year, it when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

8 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepIest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I i better to thee than ten sons?

9 So Hannah rose up after

13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.

15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman t of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.

16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.

plied to pray.

18 And she said, "Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her Ecc. 9.7. way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

19 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned,

The birth of Samuel.

Before

about 1171. Y Gen. 4. 1. z Gen. 30. 22. about 1171. † Heb. in revolution of days.

That is, Asked of God.

a ver. 3.

20 Wherefore it came to pass, + when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD. 21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, a went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

22 But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child b Luke 2. 22. be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there cabide d for

© ver. 11, 28. ch 2. 11, 18. & 3. 1. d Ex. 21. 6. Num. 30. 7.

ever.

23 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have f2 Sam. 7. 25. weaned him; fonly the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.

about 1165. 8 Deut. 12. 5,

6, 11.

h Josh. 18. 1. i Luke 2. 22. k Gen. 42. 15. 2 Kings 2. 2, 4. 6.

1 Matt. 7. 7. m ver. 11, 22. 1Or. returned him, whom I have ob tained by petition, to the LORD. JOr, he whom I have obtained by petition shall be returned.

24 ¶ And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto hthe house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young. 25 And they slew a bullock, and ibrought the child to Eli.

26 And she said, O my lord, kas thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.

271 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: 28 m Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he a worshipped the a Gen. 24. 26, LORD there.

52.

CHAPTER II. 1 Hannah's song in thankfulness. 12 The sin of Eli's sons. 18 Samuel's ministry. 20 By El's blessing Hannah is more fruitful. 22 Eli reproreth his sons. 27 A prophecy against Eli's house.

A said, b My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD; my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I drejoice in thy salvation. 2e There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none besides thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

ND Hannah a prayed, and

proudly; let not tarrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 4 hThe bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded strength.

with

Before CHRIST about 1165.

Ps. 94. 4.

Mal. 3. 13.
Jude 15.

Heb. hard.
P.3715

17. & 76, 3.

Luke 1. 53.

5 They that were full have hired Ps. 34. 10. out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath borne seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

6 m The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. 7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

k Ps. 113. 9. 11s. 54. 1.

Jer. 15. 9.

m Deut. 32.
39.

Job 5. 18.
Hos. 6. 1.

Job 1. 21.
Ps. 75. 7.

PPs. 113. 7, 8.

Dan. 4. 17.
Luke 1. 52.

Job 36. 7.

8 PHe raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, a to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth Job 38. 4, 5, are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them.

S

6.

Ps. 24. 2. & 102. 25. & 104, 5. Heb. 1. 3.

121. 3.

9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall Ps. 91. 11. & be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not a Deut. 13. 13. the LORD.

13 And the priest's custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;

14 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.

The wickedness of Eli's sons.

Before CHRIST about 1165.

† Heb. as on the day.

d Gen. 6. 11.

e Mal. 2. 8.

f ver. 11.

5 Ex. 28. 4. 2 Sam. 6. 14.

h ch. 1. 3.

i Gen. 14. 19.

| Or, petition which she asked, &c. k ch. 1. 28. 1 Gen. 21. 1.

2. 40.

ficed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw. 16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.

be

17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great fore the LORD: for men horred LORD.

ab

Before CHRIST about 1165. "Ex. 28. 1, 4. Num. 16. 5.

A prophecy against Eli's house. thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house? 28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

an

& 18. 1, 7.

Lev. 2.3.

10. & 6, 16, & 7. 7, 8, 34,35. & 10. 14, 15. Num. 5.9.10. & 18, 8-19.

18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. 19 Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

20 And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is klent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.

21 And the LORD I visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel mgrew before the LORD.

m ver. 26 Judg. 13. 24. 22 Now Eli was very old, and ch. 3. 19. Luke 1.80 & heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with n the women that t assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

n See Ex. 38.

8.

† Heb

assembled by troops.

I Or, 1 hear evil words of you.

| Or, to cry out.

23 And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.

24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD's people to transgress.

25 If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: Num. 15.30. but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding, they hearkened not unto the voice of their PJosh. 11.20. father, P because the LORD would Prov. 15. 10. slay them.

32 And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be fan old man in thine house for ever. 33 And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine fSee Zech. 8. altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die † in the flower of their age.

34 And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; hin one day they shall die both of them.

27.

36 m And it shall come to pass, m1 Kings 2. that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, + Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.

t Heb. Join. Or, some

what about the priest. hood.