Ruth
Ruth is a Moabite widow in the Hebrew Bible who stays with her mother-in-law, Naomi, and settles in Bethlehem. Her story connects loyalty, kindness to strangers, and care for the poor, and makes her an ancestor of King David.
Key stories of Ruth
Staying with Naomi
After their husbands die, Naomi prepares to return from Moab to Bethlehem. Ruth refuses to leave her and chooses Naomi’s people and God.
In The Book of Ruth, Ruth continues towards Bethlehem with Naomi while Naomi’s other daughter-in-law, Orpah, returns home.
In The Book of Ruth by Unknown
Gathering grain in Boaz’s field
Ruth gathers grain left behind by the harvesters to feed herself and Naomi. Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s late husband, protects her and makes sure she has enough.
In The Book of Ruth, Boaz tells Ruth to stay near his women workers and instructs his men to leave extra grain for her.
In The Book of Ruth by Unknown
Marriage and a new family
At Naomi’s direction, Ruth approaches Boaz at the threshing floor and asks for his protection as a relative. After settling another relative’s prior claim, Boaz marries her, and their son Obed becomes David’s grandfather.
In The Book of Ruth, Boaz settles the family’s affairs before witnesses at the town gate; later, Naomi holds Ruth’s child.
In The Book of Ruth by Unknown
How to recognise Ruth in stories
- Look for a widow who refuses to abandon an older woman.
- Notice barley fields, harvesters, and grain gathered by the poor.
- Watch for a stranger whose loyalty brings her into a new family.
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Why does Ruth stay with Naomi?
Ruth stays because she is deeply loyal to Naomi and chooses to share her future. In The Book of Ruth, that choice means leaving her homeland and accepting Naomi’s people and God, despite having no promise of comfort or security.
How is Ruth related to King David?
Ruth is King David’s great-grandmother. The Book of Ruth ends by tracing the family from Ruth and Boaz through their son Obed and grandson Jesse to David, linking a foreign widow’s quiet acts of loyalty with Israel’s royal history.
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