Ruth
Purpose
Tells the loyalty of Ruth the Moabitess and her redemption by Boaz, placing a Gentile in the line of David and the Messiah.
Author
Traditionally Samuel
Time Period
Written c. 1030 BC or later; events in the days of the judges (c. 1100 BC)
Key Themes
- Loyalty (hesed)
- Redemption
- Providence
- Gentile inclusion
- David's line
Outline
Ruth's loss and loyalty to Naomi (ch. 1); gleaning in Boaz's field (ch. 2); redemption at the threshing floor (ch. 3); marriage and David's genealogy (ch. 4).