Matthew Henry on Ruth 1:1-5

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

Elimelech's care to provide for his family, was not to be blamed; but his removal into the country of Moab could not be justified. And the removal ended in the wasting of his family. It is folly to think of escaping that cross, which, being laid in our way, we ought to take up.

Changing our place seldom is mending it. Those who bring young people into bad acquaintance, and take them out of the way of public ordinances, thought they may think them well-principled, and armed against temptation, know not what will be the end.

It does not appear that the women the sons of Elimelech married, were proselyted to the Jewish religion. Earthly trials or enjoyments are of short continuance. Death continually removes those of every age and situation, and mars all our outward comforts: we cannot too strongly prefer those advantages which shall last for ever.

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commentaryElimelech and Naomi; Death of Elimelech and His Sons. (b. c. 1312.)ELIMELECH AND NAOMI; DEATH OF ELIMELECH AND HIS SONS. (B. C. 1312.) The first words give all the date we have of this story. It was in the days when the judges ruled (Ruth 1:1), not in those disorderly times when there…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ruth 1:1"In the days when the judges ruled." This is the age in which the story happened which constitutes Ruth's history, beautiful as an epic, and touching as a pathetic drama of home life. The judges. Whether the earlier or…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ruth 1:1-5The emigrants and their trials. We are introduced to the Hebrew family into which the Moabitess Ruth was married. I. THE BEAUTIFUL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NAMES of both the Hebrew parents. II. THE WOLF OF HUNGER HAD COME PR…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ruth 1:1"There was a famine in the land." Providence led Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and his two sons Mahlon and Chillon, into the land of Moab, on the other side of Jordan. Whilst there was scarcity of bread in Israel, there wa…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ruth 1:1-5EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ruth 1:1Now it came to pass. Or, more literally, "And it came to pass." The "And" is somewhat remarkable, standing at the commencement of the Book. But as it is also found at the commencement of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Josh…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ruth 1:2And the name of the man was Elimelech. That is, "God is King," not, as the older critics were accustomed to interpret it, "My God is King." The intermediate i is not the possessive pronoun, but the vowel of union. The n…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ruth 1:3Widowhood. In the country of Moab Elimelech and his family found a home. A period of repose seems to have been granted them. They learned to reconcile themselves to new scenes and associations. But life is full of vicis…Joseph S. Exell and contributors