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T HE K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S is not directly blamed for his error in the Book of Ruth but that the writer thought him to hlame and held the calamities which fell on him and his house to be a judgment on his sin, there is scarcely room to doubt.—-Cox. v. 4. They took them wives. Though they married contrary to the law they were fortunate in their wives. They were not turned to the service of false gods but on the other hand, neither did they turn their wives to the service of the'true God. It was not till after her husband’s death that Ruth learned to take shelter under the wings of the God of Israel (2:12), and Orpah (1:15) went back to her people and her gods. Bible Exp. Name of the other was Ruth. The Moabites were not only heathen but under an especial ban (Deut. 23:3), yet Ruth was exalted by God through faith to become the an cestress of Jesus Christ. (Matt. 1:1, 5, 6.) This story in the history of Israel shows how God even under the old dis pensation was “ no respecter of per sons” .— Torrey. v. 6. The Lord had visited His peo ple. Naomi .hears of the bread and starts for it. Oh, that man today like the lost son (Lk. 15:17-20) would start for the Bread of life when they heard of Him. (Jn. 6:35..)— Eliott. v. 8. Naomi said to her daughters- in-law. The proverbial relation be tween mother-in-law and daughters-in- law is anything but that pictured in this story. It was loyalty to Jehovah that made the relation so tender in this case. Return each of you. Naomi had come under the influence of Moab. She had lost active faith. There seemed to be no hope in her, even when her face was turned toward the homeland. In stead of encouraging her daughters-in- law to turn their backs on their gods and go with her into the land of the Lord and put their trust in Him, she did all in her power to dissuade them from going.—Haldeman.
v. 9. The Lord grant you rest. It speaks well for them that after living with them for ten years and watching with motherly jealousy how they bor$ themselves to her sons, Naomi can thank them with impassioned sincerity and tenderness for their kindness to the dead and to her. (v. 8.)—Devo. Com. v. 11. Are there yet more sons? This alludes to the custom that when a married brother died without leaving posterity, his brother should take his widow and the children of such mar riages were accounted those of -the de ceased brother.— Treasury. v. 13. Hand of the Lord against me. No, dear soul, that hand is already en gaged in making all things work to gether for good. A few more months and your sorrow will be turned into joy. (4:16.)-^Meyer. v. 14. Orpah kissed her. Orpah first professes that she will go all the way with Naomi but at the prospect of a long widowhood in a strange land she kisses Naomi and turns her back on her for Moab. Fine parallel to the profess ing church member today who makes a profession to follow Christ, sheds some tears, then goes back to the world to escape a life of dreary piety.^— Eliott. v. 15. Thy sister is gone back. Many have an affection for Christ yet come short of salvation by Him because they cannot find it in their hearts to forsake other things and attach themselves to Him. When we resolve that nothing shall separate us from our duty to Christ, we may be sure that nothing can ever separate us from happiness in Him. —Henry. v. 16. I will go. It illustrates that place in one’s experience when we have to decide whether to leave home and go on with Christ or to turn our backs on Christ and go back to the world and loved ones.-—Torrey. It is good to be capable of clear resolve, parting be-
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