The author of this book focuses on Ruth's unswerving and selfless devotion to her desolate mother-in-law, Naomi, who has suffered the death of husband and sons, including the husband of Ruth.
Ruth is a Moabite girl who had married into this Israelite family while the family was living in Moab. When Naomi returns to Israel, Ruth comes with her, choosing to adopt Israel and Yahweh as her own, rather than remain in the land that she knew.
Chapter one reveals Ruth's loyalty to Naomi and to Yahweh, the God of Israel, as she moves with Naomi to Israel. Chapter two takes Ruth to the grain fields of Boaz, a relative of Naomi, to glean food for the table of Naomi and Ruth. There Boaz shows great kindness to Ruth and in chapter three promises redemption for Ruth and Naomi. He will marry Ruth and provide full care and security for Naomi as well. Chapter four records the redemption ceremony, as Boaz goes to the town gate to carry out the business of becoming a kinsman-redeemer. As the story closes, we learn that the marriage of Ruth and Boaz has produced a son, Obed, who will become the grandfather of David, the greatest king of Israel and the head of the family from which the Messiah would one day come.
