And Amminadab begate Nahshon, and Nahshon begate Salmon, Ruth 4:20 (KJV)
The verse records that Amminadab was the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon was the father of Salmon. This brief genealogical statement is part of the larger record that traces the genealogy of King David, highlighting the lineage from Judah through Salmon. By naming these ancestors, the text situates the family within the broader ancestry that leads to the throne of Israel. The passage demonstrates how the lineage proceeds from Amminadab to Nahshon to Salmon, and then continues toward the line of Judah that ultimately produces David. The verse, as part of Ruth 4:18‑22, forms part of David’s ancestry (1 Chronicles 2:10‑12).
Ruth is a Moabite woman who showed remarkable faithfulness and loyalty to Naomi after the death of their husbands. Ruth’s story, described in Ruth 1‑4, emphasizes this faithful and loyal response in the face of loss. Her devotion is a central theme of the narrative, demonstrating steadfast commitment when both she and Naomi were widowed.
The inclusion of Ruth’s genealogy in this passage underscores how her personal loyalty is linked to the royal line. The verse traces the genealogy of King David, highlighting the lineage from Judah through Salmon, and thereby connects Ruth’s faithful actions to the heritage of the future king. Thus the passage serves both as a record of bloodlines and as a reminder of the character displayed by Ruth, a Moabite woman whose loyalty to Naomi is recorded alongside the ancestors of David. The combined focus on genealogy and personal fidelity offers a concise picture of how family history and individual devotion are intertwined in the biblical narrative.
