The story of Ruth — a foreign widow with nothing to gain chose loyalty over comfort, and became the great-grandmother of Israel’s greatest king.
This account is the whole book of Ruth, set during the time of the judges.
The Story of Ruth and Boaz
A famine drove an Israelite family from Bethlehem into the land of Moab. There the father and both sons died, leaving three widows: Naomi and her two foreign daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah.
Naomi decided to return home to Bethlehem and told the younger women to stay in Moab. Orpah stayed, but Ruth refused to leave, saying, “Whither thou goest, I will go; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.”
The two women arrived in Bethlehem poor and hungry. To find food, Ruth went to glean, picking up leftover grain in the fields, and she happened to work in a field belonging to a good man named Boaz.
Boaz noticed Ruth and had heard how kindly she had treated Naomi. He protected her, made sure she had plenty to gather, and blessed her for taking refuge under the God of Israel.
As a close relative, Boaz was able to marry Ruth and care for both women. Ruth had a son named Obed, and Naomi’s empty life was filled again. Obed became the grandfather of King David.
Key Verses
“Whither thou goest, I will go … thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” Ruth 1:16
“Under whose wings thou art come to trust.” Ruth 2:12
“He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.” Ruth 4:17
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), a public-domain translation.
What the Story of Ruth and Boaz Teaches Us
Ruth had every reason to walk away. She was young, foreign, and free to start over, yet she bound herself to a grieving woman and an unfamiliar God. Her quiet loyalty is the heart of the story.
The book also shows how God works through ordinary kindness and everyday choices. A widow gleaning grain and a landowner treating a stranger well became part of the family line that led to King David, and beyond.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of Ruth about?
Ruth is a Moabite widow who loyally follows her mother-in-law Naomi to Bethlehem. There she meets and marries Boaz, and becomes the great-grandmother of King David.
What did Ruth say to Naomi?
When Naomi told her to stay in Moab, Ruth refused, saying, “Whither thou goest, I will go; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” It is one of the Bible’s best-known lines of loyalty.
Who was Boaz?
Boaz was a kind and respected landowner in Bethlehem and a close relative of Naomi’s family. He protected Ruth, provided for her, and married her.
Why is Ruth’s story important?
Ruth, a foreigner, became part of the family line of King David, showing that God welcomes outsiders and works through faithful, everyday choices.
Where is this story in the Bible?
It is the book of Ruth, four short chapters set during the time of the judges.