Ruth and Naomi Story - Bible

There was a famine in the land of Israel. A man named Elimelech took his wife Naomi and their two sons to live in the country of Moab. While they were there, Elimelech died. Naomi's sons married Moabite women named Orpah and Ruth.

After about ten years, both of Naomi's sons died. Naomi was very sad. She had lost her husband and her two sons. She heard that the Lord had helped the people of Israel by giving them food again. So she decided to go back home.

Naomi told her daughters-in-law, 'Go back to your mothers' homes. May the Lord show you kindness as you have shown kindness to your husbands and to me.'

Orpah and Ruth both cried. Orpah kissed Naomi goodbye and went back to her family. But Ruth held on tightly to Naomi.

Naomi said, 'Your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods. Go with her.'

But Ruth said, 'Don't ask me to leave you! Where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me if anything but death separates you and me.'

Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, so she stopped arguing. The two women traveled to Bethlehem together.

When they arrived, the whole town was excited. The women asked, 'Is this Naomi?' But Naomi said, 'Don't call me Naomi, which means 'pleasant.' Call me Mara, which means 'bitter,' because the Lord has made my life very sad.'

It was the time of the barley harvest. Ruth said to Naomi, 'Let me go to the fields. I will gather grain behind anyone who will let me.'

Ruth went to a field that belonged to a man named Boaz. He was a relative of Naomi's husband. When Boaz came from Bethlehem to see his workers, he noticed Ruth. He asked his foreman, 'Who is that woman?'

The foreman said, 'She is the Moabite woman who came back with Naomi. She asked if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been working hard from morning until now.'

Boaz went to Ruth and said, 'Listen to me. Stay in my field. Do not go to any other field. Stay close to my servant women. I have told my men not to touch you. When you are thirsty, drink from the water jars.'

Ruth bowed down and asked, 'Why are you so kind to me? I am a foreigner.'

Boaz said, 'I have heard about everything you have done for Naomi. You left your father and mother and came to a land you did not know. May the Lord reward you for your kindness.'

At mealtime, Boaz invited Ruth to eat with him. He told his workers to pull out extra grain from their bundles and leave it for her to gather. Ruth worked hard all day and brought home a large amount of grain.

Naomi was so happy. She said, 'The Lord has not stopped showing kindness. Boaz is a close relative. He can help us.'

Naomi told Ruth what to do. Ruth did everything Naomi said. She went to the threshing floor where Boaz was sleeping and lay at his feet. When Boaz woke up, he was surprised. Ruth said, 'You are a family protector. Please take care of me.'

Boaz said, 'The Lord bless you! You have shown even more kindness than before. There is a relative who is closer than I am. If he will not help you, I will.'

Boaz went to the town gate and met with the other relative. The relative agreed to let Boaz marry Ruth. So Boaz married Ruth. She became his wife.

The Lord blessed Ruth and Boaz. They had a son named Obed. The women of the town said to Naomi, 'Praise the Lord! Your daughter-in-law loves you. She is better to you than seven sons.'

Obed became the father of Jesse. Jesse became the father of King David. Years later, from the family of David came Jesus. God had a wonderful plan for Ruth, the faithful Moabite woman who loved her mother-in-law and followed the one true God.

The Ruth and Naomi story highlights loyalty kindness and faith. It teaches the importance of relationships and trust. This story shows how faithfulness leads to blessings.