Ruth | Chapter Summaries + Study QuestionsSample

RUTH 1

RUTH SHOWS LOYALTY TO NAOMI + RETURNS TO ISRAEL

Because there was a great famine, Naomi traveled from Ephraim to Moab with her husband and two sons. When Naomi’s husband dies, she is left with her two sons, who married foreign Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. When both of Naomi’s sons die, she is left widowed and childless.

Naomi told Ruth and Orpah to return to their home countries and let her go back to Israel. Orpah did as she said, but Ruth clung to Naomi and decided she would go with her and make Naomi’s God her God.

Naomi and Ruth return to Israel, but Naomi wanted to change her name from “Naomi,” meaning “pleasant,” to “Mara,” which means “bitter,” because she felt as though God had dealt with her bitterly.

STUDY QUESTIONS

How was Ruth faithful and loyal to her vulnerable mother-in-law, Naomi (Ruth 1:16–18)?

Look up the meaning of the names Naomi and Mara. Which name do you think best suited Naomi’s situation?