OW it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth-lehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of were. Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. с 2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. 3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. 5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. 6 Then she arose with her daughters-inlaw, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his f people in giving them bread. f Ge.50.25. Ex. 4.31. Lu.1.08. p Jos. 24.15. 7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law Be not with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. 8 And Naomi said unto her two daughtersin-law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. 9 The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. 10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. 11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? against me. r 2Ki.2.2.6. 29. 24.28, 18 When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her. 19 So they two went until they came to Beth-lehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Beth-lehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, İs this Naomi ? 20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? 22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Beth-lehem in the beginning of barley-harvest. A CHAPTER II. b 1 Ruth gleaneth in the fields of Boaz. 4 Boaz taking knowledge of her, 8 showeth her great favour. 18 That which she got, she carrieth to Naomi. ND Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. 2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find she said unto her, Go, my grace. And daughter. 3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech. 211,12 4 T And, behold, Boaz came from Beth118.3.17.lehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. " And they answered him, The u Ac.20.24. 13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it griev-a c 32,12 eth me much for your sakes that the hand m of the LORD is gone out against me. 14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law; but Ruth clave "unto her. 15 And she said, Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sisterin-law. LORD bless thee. e 5 Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this? 6 And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab: 7 And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house. 8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: 9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. 10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? 11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been showed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother-in-law since the death of thy husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The kindness of Boaz to Ruth. RUTH.-CHAP. III., IV. full reward be given thee of the LORD God of A. M. 2696. Israel, under whose wings thou art come "to trust. B. C. 1308. 1 Ps. 17.8. 36.7. 57.1. 63.7. 13 Then she said, "Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast com- mc.1.16. forted me, and for that thou hast spoken P friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens. 14 And Boaz said unto her, At meal-time come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left. n or, I find. o Ge.33.15. 1 Sa.1.18. p to the heart. Ge. 33. 3. Ju.19.3. q P8.23.5. r shame. s Ja.1.5. 15 And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let P.41.1. her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: 16 And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not. 17 So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley. 18 And she took it up, and went into the city and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed. 19 And her mother-in-law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to-day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be the that did take knowledge of thee. And she showed her mother-in-law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to-day is Boaz. V W 20 And Naomi said unto her daughter-in-law, Blessed "be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen. 21 And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest. 22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughterin-law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field. u c.3.10. Job 29.13. ▼ 2 Sa.9.1. w or, that hath right Le.25.25. Ruth lieth at Boaz's feet. 7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was 'merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. 8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. 9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thy handmaid: spread h therefore thy skirt over thy handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. 10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast showed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. 12 And now it is true that I am thy near to redeem kinsman: howbeit "there is a kinsman nearer than I. x Ca. 1.7,8. not upon 1 Co. 15.33 a1 Co.7.36. 1 Ti.5.8. b c.1.9. c c.2.8,23. 13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning. 14 And she lay at his feet until the morning and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, P Let it not be known 2142 that a woman came into the floor. Ec. 9.8. e or, lift up that are on. f Ju. 19.6,9, 22. 15 Also he said, Bring the "vail that thou the clothes hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city. 16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. 17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law, 28a. 13.28. Es. 1.10. Ec. 8.15. 9.7. 10.19. gor, took hold on. hEze. 16.8. i that hath or, one a right to redeem. c. 2.20. J c.1.8. k gate. 1 Pr. 12.4. 31.10. 1 By Naomi's instruction, 5 Ruth lieth at Boaz's feet. 8 Boaz acknowledgeth the right of a kinsman. 14 He sendeth her away with six measures of barley. HEN Naomi her mother-in-law said unto me.4.1. her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? n De. 25.5. c. 4.5. Mat. 22. 24,25. o Je. 4.2. 1 Co. 10. 32. 18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day. CHAPTER IV. 1 Boaz calleth into Judgment the next kinsman. 6 He refuseth the redemption according to the manner in Israel. 9 Boaz buyeth the inheritance. 10 He marrieth Ruth. 13 She beareth Obed the grandfather of David. 18 The generation of Pharez. THEN went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz a spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down. 2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down. 3 And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's: 3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, Ro.14 16. that is come again out of the country of Moab, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. qar, sheet, or,apron. P.37.3,5. a c.3.12 4 And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, 4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, b1 Ki.21.8. then tell me, that I may know: for there is and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. 6 And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem | it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it. B. C 1303 g De.25.7..9 h Ps. 127.3. 128.3. thee riches, or, power. 7 Now this was the manner in former time i Ge.29.30. in Israel concerning redeeming and concern-jor, get ing changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel. 8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe. 9 And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi. Mi.5.2. proclaim thy name. m Ge.38.29. n Ge. 20. 17, 18; 33.5. o Ro. 12. 15. p caused to cease un 10. qor, redeemer. 10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut to no off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day. 11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thy house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and i do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous n Beth-lehem : k 12 And let thy house be like the house of rish. Ge. 45.11. Ps.55.22. s thy gray 18.1.8. &c. w Nu. 1.7. x or, Salmah. 1Ch.215. and marrieth Ruth Pharez, whom Tamar " bare unto Judah of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman. D 13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son. 14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. 15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter-in-law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath borne him. 16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. And when the time was that Elkanah d offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: 5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. 6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. 7 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, So she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. 8 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons? 9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten n Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now k bitter of. 1 Ja.11.30. m 28.16.12. n Ge.30.22. o seed of men. p Nu.6.5. r hard of Ps. 62.8. t medita tion. 11 Pa. 20.3,5. v Ec.9.7. 12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. 13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. 14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. 15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. 16 Count not thy handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. 17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant "thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. 18 And she said, Let thy handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. 19 And they rose up in the morning early, The birth of Samuel. B. C. 1165. 1 SAMUEL.-CHAP. II. and worshipped before the LORD, and return- | 4. M. 2839. ed, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her. w ver. 11. x in revo lution of days. asked of God. 20 Wherefore it came to pass, when they that is, time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD. 21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. 22 But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever. 2 Lu.222 a Nu.30.7. b 2 Sa.7.25. c Ph. 4.6. d Ps.145.18, 19. e or, re turned him, whom I have ob tained by petition, to the LORD. for, he whom I have obtained by petition, returned. a L.1.46, shall be &c. b Ps 112.8, 9. d Ex. 15.11. e De.32.31. 24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and 13.5. one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young. 25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. ND Hannah prayed, and said, a My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, my horn is exalted in the LORD; my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. 2 There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. 3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 4 The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. 5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath borne seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. P94.4. g hard. Je. 17.10. i Ps. 37.15, x as on the day. y Ge. 13. 13. z Mal.2.8. a Ex. 28.4. b 0.1.3. cor, petishe asked. The sin of Eli's sons. 10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt "the horn of his anointed. 11 And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest. 12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD. 13 And the priest's custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand; 14 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither. W 15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw. 16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now; and if not, I will take it by force. 17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD. 18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded a with a linen ephod. 19 Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 21 And the LORD visited & Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD. 22 Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 23 And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. 24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report tion which that I hear: ye make the LORD's people to transgress. d Cie.21.1. e assembled by troops. Ex.38.8. f or, evil words of you. out. 6 The LORD *killeth, and maketh alive: hes or, cry bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. 7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: ne bringeth low, and lifteth up. 8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them. 9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. Prophecy against Eli's house. 1 SAMUEL.-CHAP. III., IV. of thy father all the offerings made by fire of AM the children of Israel? 29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? 30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. 31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thy house. t 32 And thou shalt see " an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thy house for ever. 33 And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thy heart: and all the increase of thy house shall die in the flower of their age. 34 And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die w both of them. 35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in my heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever. 36 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thy house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, ' Put me, I pray_thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread. ND the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. B. C. 1142. o De. 32. 15. p Ex. 29.9. q Je. 18.9, The Israelites are overcome. thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called Then as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant Pr.3.9,10. heareth. r Pa.91.14. 35. u or, the bernacle e Mal.2.8,9. 11 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, 1.227,I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. 12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. 13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves * vile, and he restrained them not. for all the God have given 15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to show Eli the vision. 16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. 17 And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: "God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. 18 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good. 19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. 21 And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in ning and Shiloh by the word of the LORD. 2 And it came to pass at that time, when Elik or, ac was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; 3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; 4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. 5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I ; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. 6 And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. 1 frowned CHAPTER IV. 1 The Israelites are overcome by the Philistines at Eben-ezer. 3 They fetch the ark unto the terror of the Philistines. 10 They are snitten again, the ark taken, Hophní and Phinehas are slain. 12 Eli at the news, falling backward, breaketh his neck. 19 Phinchas' wife, discouraged in her travail with I-chabod, dieth. AND the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. 2 And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, N15 Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men. 3¶ And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD Smitten us to-day before the Philistines? Let us a fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies. 4 So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons o Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. 5 And when the ark of the covenant of the o the array. LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again. 248. e 2 Sa. 6.2 f Ex.25.18, 6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the |