Ruth 2

Passage overview

1 Samuel 2 can be divided into three major parts. First (verses 1–10) are Hannah's prayer of thanksgiving and praise; second (verses 11–26) are the contrasts between Samuel and Eli's sons; and third (verses 27–36) is the announcement of God's prophetic judgment upon Eli's household. These three parts are woven together harmoniously, centered on God's sovereignty and salvation, as well as human disobedience and its consequences.

1verseNaomi had a relative of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz.

2verseRuth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Let me now go to the field, and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I find favor.” She said to her, “Go, my daughter.”

3verseShe went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

4verseBehold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “May the LORD be with you.” They answered him, “May the LORD bless you.”

5verseThen Boaz said to his servant who was set over the reapers, “Whose young lady is this?”

6verseThe servant who was set over the reapers answered, “It is the Moabite lady who came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab.

7verseShe said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came, and has continued even from the morning until now, except that she rested a little in the house.”

8verseThen Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Don’t go to glean in another field, and don’t go from here, but stay here close to my maidens.

9verseLet your eyes be on the field that they reap, and go after them. Haven’t I commanded the young men not to touch you? When you are thirsty, go to the vessels, and drink from that which the young men have drawn.”

10verseThen she fell on her face and bowed herself to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take knowledge of me, since I am a foreigner?”

11verseBoaz answered her, “I have been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father, your mother, and the land of your birth, and have come to a people that you didn’t know before.

12verseMay the LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given to you from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”

13verseThen she said, “Let me find favor in your sight, my lord, because you have comforted me, and because you have spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not as one of your servants.”

14verseAt meal time Boaz said to her, “Come here, and eat some bread, and dip your morsel in the vinegar.” She sat beside the reapers, and they passed her parched grain. She ate, was satisfied, and left some of it.

15verseWhen she had risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and don’t reproach her.

16verseAlso pull out some for her from the bundles, and leave it. Let her glean, and don’t rebuke her.”

17verseSo she gleaned in the field until evening; and she beat out that which she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.

18verseShe took it up, and went into the city. Then her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned; and she brought out and gave to her that which she had left after she had enough.

19verseHer mother-in-law said to her, “Where have you gleaned today? Where have you worked? Blessed be he who noticed you.” She told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.”

20verseNaomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, who has not abandoned his kindness to the living and to the dead.” Naomi said to her, “The man is a close relative to us, one of our near kinsmen.”

21verseRuth the Moabitess said, “Yes, he said to me, ‘You shall stay close to my young men until they have finished all my harvest.’”

22verseNaomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his maidens, and that they not harm you in any other field.”

23verseSo she stayed close to the maidens of Boaz, to glean to the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and she lived with her mother-in-law.

Hannah's Prayer (Verses 1–10)

Hannah's prayer marks the beginning of 1 Samuel 2. It expresses deep gratitude to God, who answered her earnest desire, and emphasizes that God exalts the weak and humbles the powerful. In the prayer, she sings that God is the ruler over every circumstance, including trust in His righteousness and humility. This prayer is also similar to Mary's 'Magnificat' later on, and it is a confession that reveals hope not only for Israel's history but for all humanity.

Samuel and Eli's Sons (Verses 11–26)

In this section, the growth of young Samuel and the corruption of Eli's sons are clearly contrasted. Samuel grows in a way that is recognized by God, while Eli's sons—despite being priests—do not fear God and instead follow their own desires. In particular, their greed for the people's offerings and their engagement in immoral actions are highlighted. Through the contrast between these two households, we see the principle that God uses the humble and the honest, and a warning message is also delivered that human disobedience ultimately leads to judgment.

Announcement of God's Judgment (Verses 27–36)

In the final part, God's man appears to Eli and prophesies the judgment that will come upon his household. He says, 'I said earlier that your house and the house of your ancestors would walk before Me forever, but now it will never be so,' showing God's just response to unbelief and unrighteousness. By declaring that the priestly line in Eli's household will be cut off, it implies that a new turning point is approaching in God's redemptive history.

Points for Reflection

  • Let's think about how we can trust in and confess God's sovereignty, justice, and mercy toward the weak.
  • Rather than the religious roles or status that appear on the outside, reflect on how important true faith in the heart is.
  • Let's ask ourselves what attitude we are living with between God's judgment and salvation.

Apply to Yourself

  • In my life, let's reflect on whether I am approaching God humbly and whether I have an attitude of trusting Him.
  • Even in small things, I will live honestly and faithfully, and I will put into practice my determination that God's glory will be revealed through me.
  • I will take an interest in those who are weak or marginalized neighbors, pray for them, and look for ways to help them practically.

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