Story 28 of 100 · Based on Ruth 1–4
Ruth and Naomi
Naomi had gone to live in a faraway country, and there she lost her husband and her two sons. She was very sad and decided to return to her homeland, Bethlehem. Her daughter-in-law Ruth wanted to go with her.
Naomi told her to stay. But Ruth refused.
—Do not urge me to leave you or to turn back from you —Ruth said—. Where you go, I will go. Where you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.
And the two of them arrived in Bethlehem together, at the beginning of the barley harvest.
Since they were poor, Ruth went to a field to gather the grain left behind by the harvesters. The field belonged to a man named Boaz.
Boaz saw her and spoke to her kindly.
—Stay in my field and drink from the water my servants draw. I have been told everything you did for your mother-in-law. May the Lord repay you for what you have done.
Boaz ordered that some grain be left behind for Ruth, and gave her bread and roasted grain until she had had enough.
Ruth went home with a lot of grain. Naomi was glad, and said:
—Blessed be the Lord, who never stops being good!
Later, Ruth and Boaz married. Their great-grandson was King David.
Let's talk: Ruth kept Naomi company when she was sad. Whom can you keep company?
Keeping company with someone who is sad is a gift. Goodnight.