Ruth Chapter 1

Ruth 1 tells the story of a woman named Naomi and her two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah. They were Moabite women who had married Naomi’s sons while they lived in Moab. However, tragedy struck when Naomi’s husband and both of her sons died. Distraught, Naomi decided to return to her homeland of Judah, and her daughters-in-law chose to accompany her.

As they began their journey, Naomi urged her daughters-in-law to return to their families, hoping they would find new husbands and start afresh. Orpah eventually agreed, tearfully parting ways with Naomi. However, Ruth clung to her, expressing her unwavering loyalty and determination to stay with her mother-in-law, no matter the circumstances.

Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem, where they faced the challenges of being widows in a foreign land. The town was stirred by their return, and Naomi expressed her bitterness at her situation, changing her name to “Mara,” meaning “bitterness.” The chapter concludes with the mention of their arrival at the beginning of the barley harvest.

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