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Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Ruth 3:1

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

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Adam Clarke Commentary

Shall I not seek rest for thee - That is, Shall I not endeavor to procure thee a proper husband? See Rth 1:9, and the observations at the end of that chapter.

Bibliography
Clarke, Adam. "Commentary on Ruth 3:1". "The Adam Clarke Commentary". http://odl.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/ruth-3.html. 1832.

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The Biblical Illustrator

Ruth 3:1

Shall I not seek rest for thee?

Rest for Ruth

I. the object of Naomi’s solicitude. Poor Ruth: a destitute, forlorn, bereaved, homeless, portionless widow. Think of the destitute circumstances of a bereaved sinner, when awakened to find out how deplorably he is ruined and utterly undone under the fall. She was between the two countries. Just the position of a soul awakened. Yet further, see the character of Ruth portraying thy condition yet more strongly. You remark, that she had escaped from Moab and refused to go back again. There was a decision of character, there was a distinction, there was the plain mark of belonging to God. Do mark, I beseech you, here, the importance of steadfast perseverance in the Christian character.

II. the nature of Naomi’s solicitude. It was rest she wanted for her daughter-in-law: “Shall I not seek rest for thee?” I wish to give some description of this rest.

1. And the first idea is tranquillity; a sacred calm, a blessed believing satisfaction. For when the poor soul is first awakened by the Spirit of God there is anything but tranquillity; it is tossed to and fro in a state of uncertainty, a state of perplexity, a state of wretchedness. “Shall I not seek rest for thee?” Shall I not tell thee where it is to be had? Shall I not point out the fact that it is to be found only in Ruth’s determination--“Thy God shall be my God,” a covenant God--Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? Get to know Him, get to serve Him with decision, and thou shalt have tranquillity.

2. But I pass on to mark, in addition to the tranquillity sought, it was desired that she should have an inheritance, and an inheritance of great value too. Now what says the apostle to this?” Blessed be God,”we have got an inheritance.

III. the end of this solicitude. And a very blessed one it was. (J. Irons.)

Bibliography
Exell, Joseph S. "Commentary on "Ruth 3:1". The Biblical Illustrator. http://odl.studylight.org/commentaries/tbi/ruth-3.html. 1905-1909. New York.

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John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her,.... After the harvests were over, and so gleaning likewise; when Naomi and Ruth were together alone in their apartment, the mother addressed the daughter after this manner:

my daughter, shall I not seek for thee, that it may be well with thee? that is, in the house of an husband, as in 1:9 her meaning is, to seek out for an husband for her, that she might have an house of her own to rest in, and an husband to provide her; that so she might be free from such toil and labour she had been lately exercised in, and enjoy much ease and comfort, and all outward happiness and prosperity in a marriage state with a good husband. This interrogation carries in it the force of a strong affirmation, may suggest that she judged it to be her duty, and that she was determined to seek out such a rest for her; and the Targum makes her way of speaking stronger still, for that is,"by an oath I will not rest, until the time that I have sought a rest for thee.'

Copyright Statement
The New John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible Modernised and adapted for the computer by Larry Pierce of Online Bible. All Rightes Reserved, Larry Pierce, Winterbourne, Ontario.
A printed copy of this work can be ordered from: The Baptist Standard Bearer, 1 Iron Oaks Dr, Paris, AR, 72855

Bibliography
Gill, John. "Commentary on Ruth 3:1". "The New John Gill Exposition of the Entire Bible". http://odl.studylight.org/commentaries/geb/ruth-3.html. 1999.

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Geneva Study Bible

Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek ^a rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?

(a) Meaning that she would provide her with a husband, with whom she might live peacefully.

Bibliography
Beza, Theodore. "Commentary on Ruth 3:1". "The 1599 Geneva Study Bible". http://odl.studylight.org/commentaries/gsb/ruth-3.html. 1599-1645.

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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

3:1-13. By Naomi‘s instructions, Ruth lies at Boaz‘s feet, who acknowledges the duty of a kinsman.

Copyright Statement
These files are a derivative of an electronic edition prepared from text scanned by Woodside Bible Fellowship.
This expanded edition of the Jameison-Faussett-Brown Commentary is in the public domain and may be freely used and distributed.

Bibliography
Jamieson, Robert, D.D.; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. "Commentary on Ruth 3:1". "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible". http://odl.studylight.org/commentaries/jfb/ruth-3.html. 1871-8.

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Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary

CONTENTS

The history is prosecuted through this chapter, and of consequence in its progress and drawing nearer to a close, becomes more and more interesting. Naomi gives instructions to Ruth how to conduct herself in her deportment towards Boaz. According to the laws of Israel, Ruth had a claim upon Boaz to do the kinsman's part and marry her. Naomi directs hen' towards the attainment of this great end. This chapter relates also Ruth's obedience to Naomi's direction, and the noble behaviour of Boaz towards her.

Bibliography
Hawker, Robert, D.D. "Commentary on Ruth 3:1". "Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary". http://odl.studylight.org/commentaries/pmc/ruth-3.html. 1828.

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Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?

Rest — A life of rest, and comfort, and safety, under the care of a good husband.

Copyright Statement
These files are public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that is available on the Christian Classics Ethereal Library Website.

Bibliography
Wesley, John. "Commentary on Ruth 3:1". "John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible". http://odl.studylight.org/commentaries/wen/ruth-3.html. 1765.

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John Trapp Complete Commentary

Ruth 3:1 Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?

Ver. 1. Shall I not seek rest for thee?] There is in most a propension to the nuptial conjunction. Requirit vir costam suam, requirit faemina sedem suam, say the Rabbis. The man misseth his rib; the woman would be in her old place again, under the man’s arm or wing. Non est requies mulieri donec nupserit, saith Aben Ezra. The unmarried life is trouble and disquietment. Hence marriage is called Portus iuventutis, the haven of young folk, who are usually tossed by lustful lingerings, as a ship is with waves; hence the Greeks call young men ηιθεοι of αιθω to burn, and αιζηοι of ζεω to boil. Hence they are called upon to put away evil from their flesh, [Ecclesiastes 11:10] that is, to mortify fleshly lusts: and admonished by the apostle, that "it is better for them to marry than to burn." [1 Corinthians 7:9] Marriage being God’s medicine, which, if rightly applied, will cool and heal unruly lusts that war against the soul.

That it may be well with thee.] That thou mayest arrive at those fair havens of a happy match: that marriage may be to thee a merry age. At Athens the bridegroom was wont to sing,

“ εφυγον κακον, ευρον αμεινον.”

I have changed a worse estate for a better. It was as it proved; for of some it may be said as it was of Sulla, that they had been happy, if they had never married: but this is from man’s corrupt heart, that like a toad, turneth all it taketh into rank poison. "It is not good for man to be alone." Indeed, those that will marry shall be sure of "trouble," and that "in the flesh" too: [1 Corinthians 7:28] but as it is said of Egypt, that as no country hath more venemous creatures, none more antidotes; so marriage hath many troubles, but with it many helps against trouble.

“Coniugium humanae divina Academia vitae.”

Bibliography
Trapp, John. "Commentary on Ruth 3:1". John Trapp Complete Commentary. http://odl.studylight.org/commentaries/jtc/ruth-3.html. 1865-1868.

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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible

Ruth 3:1. My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee— This, according to the eastern mode of expression, is a strong affirmative. As Ruth had shewn so much piety and affection to her mother, Naomi thought it her duty to do all in her power to provide for her; and, as Providence had in so remarkable a manner directed her to Boaz, she devised the following method of calling upon him to perform that duty which the law required from him. A circumstance which must be kept in mind, to preserve both Naomi and Ruth from any imputation of immodesty: nor, indeed, ought we to judge too hastily of a history like this, without a due attention, not only to the peculiar laws, but to the striking simplicity of the manners of those times, with a pleasing picture whereof every trait in this history presents us.

Bibliography
Coke, Thomas. "Commentary on Ruth 3:1". Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible. http://odl.studylight.org/commentaries/tcc/ruth-3.html. 1801-1803.

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Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

RUTH CHAPTER 3

By Naomi’s advice, Ruth lieth at Boaz’s feet, Ruth 3:1-7. He awaking commendeth what she had done, and acknowledgeth the right of a kinsman; tells her there was a nearer kinsman, to whom he would offer her, who refusing, he would redeem her, Ruth 3:8-13. Sends her away with six measures of barley, Ruth 3:14-18.

Rest, i.e. a life of rest, and comfort, and safety, under the care of a good husband. The question supposeth an affirmative answer: I will seek it, as my duty binds me.

Bibliography
Poole, Matthew, "Commentary on Ruth 3:1". Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible. http://odl.studylight.org/commentaries/mpc/ruth-3.html. 1685.

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Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

1. Naomi… said — All through that memorable barley harvest, from the evening when Ruth showed her the results of her first day’s gleaning in the field of Boaz until the time of this utterance, had the now hopeful Naomi been planning that to which she here advises her daughter in law.

Seek rest — See note on Ruth 1:9.

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Bibliography
Whedon, Daniel. "Commentary on Ruth 3:1". "Whedon's Commentary on the Bible". http://odl.studylight.org/commentaries/whe/ruth-3.html. 1874-1909.

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Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

‘And Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?”

Harvest being over Naomi now decided that it was time to act. She had no doubt observed with interest Boaz’s continued generosity towards Ruth, and it had encouraged her to think that he might not be averse to marrying her. So she approached Ruth informing her that her intention was to ‘seek rest’ for her so that her future might be secure. She then gave instructions to Ruth about what she ought to do.

Bibliography
Pett, Peter. "Commentary on Ruth 3:1". "Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible ". http://odl.studylight.org/commentaries/pet/ruth-3.html. 2013.

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George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

I will. Hebrew and Septuagint may be read with an interrogation in the same sense. "Shall I not seek rest?" (Haydock) --- By this expression she means a husband, chap. i. 9. Marriage fixes the unsettled condition of women. (Calmet) --- Noemi being apprised of the law, entertained hopes that she could engage Booz to marry Ruth. (Haydock) --- Thus her penury would cease, and she would perhaps have children, as she earnestly desired. (Menochius)

Bibliography
Haydock, George Leo. "Commentary on Ruth 3:1". "George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary". http://odl.studylight.org/commentaries/hcc/ruth-3.html. 1859.

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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?

No JFB commentary on this verse.

Bibliography
Jamieson, Robert, D.D.; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. "Commentary on Ruth 3:1". "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged". http://odl.studylight.org/commentaries/jfu/ruth-3.html. 1871-8.

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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(1) Rest.—Although Naomi had already (Ruth 1:12) repudiated any thought of marriage for herself, still she felt it her duty to do what she could to provide a home for the daughter-in-law who had so loyally followed her, lest her own death should leave her young companion specially unprotected and friendless. But there is clearly a second thought. The marriage of Boaz and Ruth will not only ensure rest for the latter, but will also raise up the seed of her dead son and preserve the family name.

That it may be well with thee.—The object of the marriage is for Ruth’s good, and thus should it be with every marriage; it must be for the good, and comfort, and abiding peace, not of the body only, but of the soul.

Bibliography
Ellicott, Charles John. "Commentary on Ruth 3:1". "Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers". http://odl.studylight.org/commentaries/ebc/ruth-3.html. 1905.

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