📖 Ruth — Chapter 1 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Ruth 1:1 Now it came to pass in the days when Rthe judges Truled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
Ruth 1:2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, REphrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and Tcontinued there.
Ruth 1:3 And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; Rand she was left, and her two sons.
Ruth 1:4 And they took them Rwives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
Ruth 1:5 And RMahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
Ruth 1:6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had Rvisited his people in giving them bread.
Ruth 1:7 Wherefore Rshe went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
Ruth 1:8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: Rthe LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
Ruth 1:9 The LORD grant you that ye may find Rrest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
Ruth 1:10 And they said unto her, RSurely we will return with thee unto thy people.
Ruth 1:11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, Rthat they may be your husbands?
Ruth 1:12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am Rtoo old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I Tshould have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
Ruth 1:13 Would ye RTtarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for Tit grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
Ruth 1:14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and ROrpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
Ruth 1:15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is Rgone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
Ruth 1:16 And Ruth said, TIntreat me not Rto leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
Ruth 1:17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: Rthe LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
Ruth 1:18 RWhen she saw that she Twas stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
Ruth 1:19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that Rall the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
Ruth 1:20 And she said unto them, TCall me not Naomi, call me TMara: for Rthe Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
Ruth 1:21 I went out full and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
Ruth 1:22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem Rin the beginning of barley harvest.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Ruth 1:1–5 — Famine, migration, and bereavement
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
During the judges' era, Elimelech's family leaves Bethlehem for Moab because of famine. Naomi loses her husband and both sons, leaving three widows. The narrative establishes their grief without stating that a particular sin caused each death.
Key Truth: Read Naomi's losses with compassion rather than inventing explanations the text does not give.
Check What You Remember
1. To which country did the family move? (Ruth 1:1)
Find it in Ruth 1:1 (KJV).
2. What was Naomi's husband's name? (Ruth 1:2)
Find it in Ruth 1:2 (KJV).
3. What were the daughters-in-law's names? (Ruth 1:4)
Find it in Ruth 1:4 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Ruth 1:6–18 — Ruth's steadfast commitment
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Naomi hears that the LORD has given bread to his people and begins the return journey. She urges her daughters-in-law to return home. Orpah leaves, while Ruth commits herself to Naomi, her people, and her God. The text honors Ruth's steadfastness without requiring the reader to invent motives for Orpah.
Key Truth: Ruth's commitment joins practical loyalty with identification with Naomi's God.
Check What You Remember
1. What had the LORD given his people? (Ruth 1:6)
Find it in Ruth 1:6 (KJV).
2. Who clung to Naomi? (Ruth 1:14)
Find it in Ruth 1:14 (KJV).
3. Whose God did Ruth declare would be her God? (Ruth 1:16)
Find it in Ruth 1:16 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Ruth 1:19–22 — Return to Bethlehem in grief
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Naomi asks to be called Mara because she feels the bitterness of her losses. Her words express her experience of affliction. Yet Ruth is beside her, and the arrival at barley harvest introduces provision that Naomi cannot yet see fully.
Key Truth: Honest grief can coexist with beginnings of help that are not yet understood.
Check What You Remember
1. To which town did Naomi and Ruth come? (Ruth 1:19)
Find it in Ruth 1:19 (KJV).
2. What name did Naomi ask people to call her? (Ruth 1:20)
Find it in Ruth 1:20 (KJV).
3. At the beginning of which harvest did they arrive? (Ruth 1:22)
Find it in Ruth 1:22 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Ruth 4:15 — The book's later words to Naomi provide a contrast with her sense of emptiness here.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What does Ruth's commitment look like in action as well as words? Notice Naomi's grief without rushing past it to the ending.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does the news from Judah contrast with Naomi’s losses in Moab?
2. What good does Naomi initially seek for both daughters-in-law?
3. How does Ruth’s declaration extend beyond accompanying Naomi on a journey?
4. How does Naomi explain the name Mara?
5. What paired details close the return account and prepare for the next chapter?
Notes
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