Version: King James Version (public domain)

Ruth

Loyalty and redemption

Ruth tells the story of a Moabite woman who stays loyal to her mother-in-law Naomi, goes to Bethlehem and marries Boaz. She becomes the great-grandmother of King David.

Historical context

Jewish tradition attributes the book to Samuel; scholars date it anywhere from the monarchy to after the exile. It is read at the feast of Shavuot.

Explanation

Best-known passages

“Whither thou goest, I will go” (ch. 1)
Ruth in Boaz’s field (ch. 2)
The genealogy to David (ch. 4)