Ruth: Summary & Key Themes

The Book of Ruth at a glance, before you read it.

Written by	unknown
Written for	Israel
Type	History
Chapters	4
Position	Book 8 of 66 · book 8 of the Old Testament

Summary

A Moabite widow stays loyal to her mother-in-law Naomi, finds kindness in Boaz, and becomes the great-grandmother of King David.

Main themes

loyal love
redemption
God at work in ordinary life

Key verse

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to 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 1:16 (KJV)

How to read Ruth

Read it in one sitting first; it is short enough. Ask three questions as you go: what did this mean to the first readers, what does it show about God, and what does it ask of me?

Previous: Judges · Next: 1 Samuel