The Book of Ruth – KJV Summary, Key Stories & Book Facts

Ruth is the eighth book of the Bible, the eighth book of the Old Testament, and the third of the Historical Books. In the King James Version (KJV), Ruth contains 4 chapters and 85 verses. Set during the days of the judges, the book tells how Ruth, a woman of Moab, remains faithfully devoted to Naomi, comes to Bethlehem, meets Boaz, and becomes part of the family line that leads to King David.

Summary of Ruth

Ruth begins during the days when the judges ruled Israel. A famine causes Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons to leave Bethlehem and live in the country of Moab. Elimelech dies, and Naomi's sons marry Moabite women named Orpah and Ruth. After about ten years, both sons also die, leaving Naomi and her daughters-in-law as widows. When Naomi hears that the LORD has again provided bread for His people in Judah, she decides to return to Bethlehem.

Naomi urges Orpah and Ruth to remain in Moab and begin new lives. Orpah eventually returns to her people, but Ruth refuses to leave Naomi. Ruth declares that Naomi's people will be her people and Naomi's God will be her God. The two women travel together to Bethlehem, arriving at the beginning of barley harvest. Naomi returns grieving the losses she has suffered, while Ruth begins working to provide food for them by gleaning grain left behind by the reapers.

Ruth happens to glean in a field belonging to Boaz, a wealthy relative of Elimelech. Boaz learns of Ruth's loyalty to Naomi and treats her generously, instructing his servants to protect her and intentionally leave additional grain for her to gather. Naomi recognizes Boaz as one of their near kinsmen and sees his kindness as evidence of the LORD's continued care. Following Naomi's counsel, Ruth later approaches Boaz and asks him to fulfill the responsibility of a kinsman toward her family. Boaz receives her request honorably but explains that another relative has a nearer claim.

Boaz meets the nearer kinsman at the city gate and presents the matter before the elders. When the other man declines the right of redemption, Boaz publicly accepts it and takes Ruth as his wife. Ruth gives birth to a son named Obed, bringing great joy to Naomi. Obed becomes the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David. Ruth therefore closes by connecting the faithfulness of an ordinary family during the troubled days of the judges with the family line through which Israel's great king David would later come.