Study Desk

But she said to them, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.

"And she said, 'Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.' So she came and has remained from the morning until now; she has been sitting in the house for a little while."

Boaz replied to her, "All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know.

Then she said, "I have found favor in your sight, my lord, for you have comforted me and indeed have spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not like one of your female servants."

"Also you are to purposely slip out for her some grain from the bundles and leave it so that she may glean, and do not rebuke her."

Then her mother-in-law Naomi said to her, "My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may go well for you?

So he said, "Who are you?" And she answered, "I am Ruth your slave. Now spread your garment over your slave, for you are a redeemer."

"So now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you say, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.

When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, "How did it go, my daughter?" And she told her all that the man had done for her.

She also said, "These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said, 'Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'"

Then she said, "Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today."

"So I thought that I would inform you, saying, 'Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if not, tell me so that I may know; for there is no one except you to redeem it, and I am after you.'" And he said, "I will redeem it."

Then the redeemer said, "I cannot redeem it for myself, otherwise I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Redeem it for yourself; you may have my right of redemption, since I cannot redeem it."

So the redeemer said to Boaz, "Buy it for yourself." And he removed his sandal.

"May he also be to you one who restores life and sustains your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him."

As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were quivering, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought that she was drunk.

"Do not consider your bond-servant a useless woman, for I have spoken until now out of my great concern and provocation."

It came about in due time, after Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked for him of the LORD."

But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, "I will not go until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, so that he may appear before the LORD and stay there for life."

"For this boy I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my request which I asked of Him.