The story of Ruth takes place during the time of the Judges after a severe famine had struck the land. When the famine was over, the Israelite widow Naomi returned to her land accompanied by her Gentile daughter-in-law Ruth, who was also a widow. Poor and destitute, they encounter Naomi's wealthy relative Boaz who takes an interest in Ruth because of her godly character. He becomes their kinsmen-redeemer and marries Ruth saving them from poverty. Ruth has long been seen as a foreshadowing of the Church and Boaz of Christ.
CHAPTERS 1–4