Bible Study Notes in 1 Samuel- Chapter 5

1 Samuel 5

-This chapter depicts what happened when the Philistines confiscated the Ark of the Covenant from the Israelis in the battle at Ebenezer (just to the east of modern day Tel Aviv). They brought it down south to Ashdod along the Mediterranean Coast (about half-way between modern day Tel Aviv and the northern border of the Gaza Strip, due west of Jerusalem). There they placed the Ark in the house of their god, Dagon, and sat it right beside their god. When they arose early the next morning, they found something very unique. Dagon had randomly fallen on his face to the ground before the Ark of the LORD. They picked up their idol god, and set him back in his proper spot, probably not thinking too much about it. But, when they arose early the next morning, “behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the Ark of the LORD. And the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold; only the trunk of Dagon was left to him (1 Samuel 5:1-4).” This was really freaky to the priests of Dagon, and they decided to never enter that house of Dagon again up until at least the writing of this text (1 Samuel 5:5).

-“Now the Hand of the LORD was heavy on the Ashdodites, and He ravaged them and smote them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territories.” The men of Ashdod surmised that they could not keep this Ark among them, for it was destroying them somehow. In actuality, the Hand of God was severe upon them for disrupting His people and holy location in the tabernacle. His presence did not belong with the pagans, and this made Him angry to be set beside an idol of stone in false worship. This is a strong word to my Hindu and Buddhist brothers and sisters, or anyone else who believes in polytheism. In other words, there is an exclusive God of the Universe. A gathering of the minds occurred following this activity in the Philistine camp with the lords of them concluding that the Ark be brought eastward over to Gath (land of Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:4). This proved to be a mistake as well. As they brought the Ark to the city, God’s Hand was against them too. A great confusion came upon them the Bible states, and the LORD smote the men of the city, both old and young, with tumors once again as at Ashdod. This had to have been nasty and disgusting, a horrible scene. Then the Ark was moved to a third destination, this time to Ekron (just north of Gath) with the same results. Another gathering of all the lords of the Philistines quickly was convened, and they decided, “Send away the Ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, so that it will not kill us and our people.” Confusion, chaos, tumors, and death were prevailing, and the cry of the living in this pagan city went up to Heaven in their distress (1 Samuel 5:6-12).

-*Application* The power of God is real. His glory is beyond compare. We cannot manipulate Him or the things of Him to suit our own benefit. This is the lesson we can learn from this episode in the history of Israel and the Philistines.

Verse to Memorize: 1 Samuel 5:12

Bible Study Notes in 1 Samuel- Chapter 4

1 Samuel 4

-The book moves on in time to the point where Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle towards the west. Israel camped beside Ebenezer; meanwhile, the Philistines made their camp in Aphek due west of the Israelite encampment. The Philistines drew up in battle array in anticipation of their clash with Israel. As the battle ensued, the Philistines were victorious against the Israelites killing about 4,000 men on the battlefield. This was a big shock to the army of Israel and their elders wondered what was going on. They asked, “Why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines?” They concluded that they needed to go east to Shiloh and take the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD so that it may come and give them deliverance from the power of the enemy. Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were still running things at the time with the Ark of the Covenant, and consented to bring the Ark to the Israeli camp. As it approached them at the camp, all Israel shouted to such a great extent that the earth resounded. Of course the Philistines heard the shouts and soon perceived that indeed the Ark of the Covenant, a feared object, was with the Israelites. The Philistines felt that God was in the camp of their enemy. They knew that nothing like this had actually happened before. They feared the woe upon them because of the LORD’s reputation in dismantling Egypt with His plagues and the wilderness miracles that were common knowledge in the region. However, they took courage and gathered their strength together to resist and fight. They had made the Israelites their slaves and did not want to become the slaves of Israel due to cowardness and fear. “So the Philistines fought and Israel was defeated, and every man fled to his tent; and the slaughter was very great, for there fell of Israel 30,000 foot soldiers (1 Samuel 4:1-10).”

-The Ark of God was taken, and Hophni and Phinehas died in the conflict specifically as prophesied (1 Samuel 2:34). Now a man from the tribe of Benjamin ran from the battle line all the way to Shiloh that same day with torn clothes and dust on his head. As he came to the city, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road eagerly waiting and watching for any kind of news. He was trembling in his heart on account of the Ark of the Covenant being away from its proper spot in the holy of holies. The man gave his account first to men of the city, who immediately cried out in anguish. Eli didn’t initially know what was going on, and the man who ran from the battle shared with him the grim news. He specifically told Eli, “I am the one who came from the battle line. Indeed, I escaped, from the battle line today.” Eli responded, “How did things go, my son?” The bearer of the horrible news then said, “Israel has fled before the Philistines and there has also been a great slaughter among the people, and your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the Ark of God has been taken.” When the part about the Ark was mentioned, Eli fell off of his seat backwards beside the gate. His neck was broken and he died, “for he was old and heavy.” His 40-year reign as Israel’s judge had come to a disastrous close, but that was not all (1 Samuel 4:11-18).

-Eli’s daughter-in-law, Phinehas’s wife, was pregnant and on the verge of giving birth to a son. When she heard the distressing news that the Ark had been taken and her husband’s and father-in-law’s deaths, she kneeled down in anguish, gave birth to her son, then died in the pains of childbirth. The women who stood by her reassured her that she not be afraid, she was having a boy. But, she could not even answer or pay attention in her agony. All that she muttered before leaving the earth was to call the child’s name, Ichabod (no glory), because “the glory has departed from Israel, for the Ark of God was taken (1 Samuel 4:19-22).”

-*Application* Israel’s mistake was looking to an object, the Ark, rather than the LORD of the object. It was God’s presence they needed, not a box plated with gold as ornate and special as it was. This amounted to idolatry in a sense. They trusted the Ark, and negated the God of the Ark in their battle. Sin was indeed present, and God’s wrath came upon them in an overwhelming way because of it. The leadership was corrupt with Hophni and Phinehas and unwilling to take up the mantle of courage in the case of Eli. When sin begets a camp, tribe, or nation, we too can pronounce Ichabod over it. There is no glory in things done apart from God’s presence and will.

Verse to Memorize: 1 Samuel 4:21

Bible Study Notes in 1 Samuel- Chapter 3

1 Samuel 3

-As the young boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD before the elderly Eli, whose eyesight by now was growing dim, there was a spiritual famine in the presence of the tabernacle. The word from the LORD was rare in those days, nearly 400 years since the miracles of the departure from Egypt and the Jordan crossing into the Promised Land. “Visions were infrequent (1 Samuel 1 3:1-2).” One night as Eli was lying down for the night just before the lamp of God went out and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was, the LORD began to call on His special servant, Samuel. The first call was undiscerned by the young boy, and he ran to Eli thinking it was him that was speaking. Eli told him he had been mistaken, and that he had not called him. This happened again as the LORD called Samuel’s name. So again Samuel arose and went to Eli thinking for sure this time his master had called him. But, Eli repeated that he had not called him. As of yet, he did not perceive what was going on, and Samuel had not yet known the Voice of the Living God. But, when it happened a third time, Eli discerned what was going on and instructed his young minister to say, “Speak, LORD (Yahweh), for Your servant is listening.” Therefore, Samuel went back to his place of sleep and rested. The Voice came a fourth time and stood before him and called as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” This time Samuel responded to the Voice of God as his mentor had instructed, “Speak, for Your servant is listening (1 Samuel 3:3-10).”

-The LORD said to Samuel, His young new prophet, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. In that day I will carry out against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. For I have told him that I am about to judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them. Therefore, I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever (1 Samuel 3:11-14).” This must have petrified the young boy. He lay down until morning, and then he rose up to open the doors to the house of the LORD as usual. He was afraid to tell Eli what he had seen and heard. But, in his wisdom, Eli started the conversation by calling on the young boy to relate all that God had spoken to him. He warned him to tell all and not to hide anything, for this was the word of the LORD. He pronounced a curse on him of all, and even more, that had been spoken by God if anything was left out from the message. He wanted to know the entirety of the prophetic word. So Samuel obeyed and told him everything. He hid nothing from his master and mentor. To Eli’s credit, he responded in resignation, “It is the LORD; let Him do what seems good to Him.” “Thus Samuel grew and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fail.” Everywhere in Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, all knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD. The radiance of the LORD was back in Shiloh by revelation of His word (1 Samuel 3:15-21).

-*Application* We also live in a time where the actual word from the LORD is rare. We are enduring a spiritual famine. We need real vision from the Almighty according to His Word and an obedient response like we see here in the passage. So many do not know how to actually hear the Voice of the LORD. We are in a sad state of apathy and ignorance to the things of God all too often. It should never be like this in the age of the Holy Spirit’s presence inside His true children. Too many times we have grieved and quenched the Spirit of the Living God in our own hearts (Ephesians 4:30, 1 Thessalonians 5:19). Pay attention; hear His Voice. Be open; He will speak. Then obey.

-Eli gives us some more application to process here. His response to God’s discipline and correction is admirable. Instead of pride and excuses, he humbly submitted because he realized that he had done wrong. His affections and priorities were tainting his ministry big time. We need to respond in this same way when the Holy Spirit disciplines and corrects us.

Verse to Memorize: 1 Samuel 3:19

Bible Study Notes in 1 Samuel- Chapter 2

1 Samuel 2

-As the second chapter begins, we hear Hannah’s song of thanksgiving that she expresses in a prayer. Her heart exalts in the LORD, her horn (qeren- a ray of light, strength, power) is exalted in the LORD, her mouth speaks boldly against her enemies, and she rejoices in her salvation. There is no comparison, she states, to the LORD. He is the Rock, the Fortifier, of His people. The boasting and arrogance of the proud will be no more, for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and He is the Judge of all things. He shatters the weapons of the enemy and girds the feeble with strength. The full and luxurious will want, but the hunger of the hungry will cease. The barren woman gives birth to seven children, but the one who has many children languishes. The LORD is the Controller of life and death. He brings down to Sheol (the underwold, place of the dead) and raises up (perhaps a Messianic prophecy here). The LORD makes poor and rich. He brings some low, but exalts others by His power. Those He blesses sit with nobles and inherit a seat of honor. “For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and He set the world on them.” He keeps His godly ones, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. Not by might shall man prevail. Contention with the LORD will be shattered by Him. His thunder in the heavens signal His judgment of the earth, and He will give strength to His king (maybe King as in another Messianic reference). God will exalt the horn of His anointed (maybe Anointed as in Christ, 1 Samuel 2:1-10).

-Elkanah returned to his home at Ramah as the narrative starts back up in verse 11. Samuel, the gift of God and still a very young boy, remained at Shiloh ministering to the LORD before Eli the priest. “Now the sons of Eli were worthless (sons of Belial) men; they did not know the LORD (1 Samuel 2:12). They discredited the Law of Moses and his prescription given by God for the proper methods of sacrifice (see Leviticus 3:3-5; 6:8-30). In short, they were unlawfully taking portions of the sacrificed meat. This was rebellion and a lack of fear for the Almighty. In fact, they argued with those who tried to correct their waywardness, even threatening to take the materials by force if they didn’t get their way. “Thus the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for the men despised the offering of the LORD (1 Samuel 2:13-17).” Eli should have followed the law, which would have had them completely cut off (Numbers 15:22-31). Their sin was intentional.

-Now Samuel, on the other hand, was ministering before the LORD as a boy even wearing the linen ephod. His mom would bring him a homemade robe year to year as they came to visit on their yearly sacrifices in Shiloh. Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife with the prayer of more children in lieu of her dedication to give Samuel to the LORD. The LORD indeed visited Hannah, and she had three more sons and two more daughters as their older brother, Samuel, grew before the LORD (1 Samuel 2:18-21).

-Now Eli was very old, and he was aware of all that his sons had been doing as hypocrites to their position of priests. In all of Israel they were making a mockery of the priesthood, even laying with the women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting in sexual immorality (1 Samuel 2:22). Eli tried to confront them telling them of all he had heard reported to him. However, they would not listen to the voice of their father. Because of their rebellion, the LORD desired to put them to death. At the same time the boy Samuel, much like Jesus would later be described (Luke 2:52), was growing in stature and in favor with both the LORD and men. Then, an unnamed man of God came to Eli and prophesied. His message was clear, “Thus says the LORD.” He reminded Eli of who He was in bringing His children out of Egypt, out of bondage in Pharaoh’s house. He had revealed Himself to them and choose them of His people, from the tribe of Levi, to be His priests perpetually. He had given them His good and perfect Law for them to solemnly adhere. God was ticked. He rightly accused them of kicking at His sacrifice and offering, which made Eli guilty because he honored his sons above the LORD Almighty in excusing them. They had made themselves fat with the choicest of every offering of His people Israel. Therefore, He declared through this man of God that He would now “lightly esteem” these who did not deserve honor and recognition because of their wicked deeds. The days were coming when the LORD would break their strength and there would not be an old man in their house. They would see the distress of the LORD’s dwelling place in spite of all the good that God had done for them. They would be cut off, both Hophni and Phinehas, on the same day indeed they would die. Yet, not every man would be cut off from the altar. This would be too great a grief for the nation. God promised, “I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in My heart and in My soul; and I will build him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed always.” Everyone will come to this one and bow down to him for a piece of silver of loaf of bread, and they would humbly ask to be assigned to one of the priest’s offices so that they could have a piece of bread (1 Samuel 2:23-36). I interpret this section as having a then and future meaning prophetically in relation to the Messiah. Indeed, Samuel took over the mantle and reigned as a righteous judge during this period of corruption and intrigue. However, later we see Jesus Christ, from the tribe of Judah, doing the same things as the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King for His people. Eli’s line was cut off in fulfillment of this prophecy literally in the time of Solomon when Abiathar was removed (1 Kings 2:26-27). Zadok was raised up with a line lasting perhaps as long as the time of Ezra. God always makes His necessary corrections to carry out His plan and purpose.

-*Application* Are there people in our lives that we honor above God like Eli did with his wayward boys? This is serious business because these become an idol to us. God expects us to fulfill His just and righteous ways on this earth. And, sometimes that means calling out and correcting those who are very close to us. This takes courage, strength, and most of all love. Don’t be an Eli in regards to putting up with junk. Be more like Hannah who exalted the LORD and found His power to be all-sufficient.

Verse to Memorize: 1 Samuel 2:35

Bible Study Notes in 1 Samuel- Introduction and Chapter 1

1 Samuel 1

-Introduction: The book of 1 Samuel serves the purpose in God’s plan of salvation for transitioning the nation of Israel from its original theocracy to the monarchy that was yearned for by the people during this particular time. Samuel, who probably wrote parts of this book along with perhaps the prophet Nathan and Gad (1 Chronicles 29:29), finds himself in the position of being Israel’s last judge. He is a major prophet in the nation and well respected as the text bears out. His dialog with the LORD is intimate, and this book explores God’s call on his life from even before his conception. 1 Samuel covers Israel’s first king, Saul, and the tribulations of this transition that did not go as smoothly as hoped for by the nation. It narrates the anointing of David as the future king and his battle with Goliath and the Philistines, which proved his courage and dependence on the Almighty. We then see the rising tension as King Saul remains the leader in a divided nation, which tests the young rising star, David, and culminates in Saul and his son’s downfall at Mount Gilboa according to the will of the LORD. These events take place somewhere between 1083 and 1010 B.C. as the time of change occurred in this great ancient society. Therefore, the themes of this work include but are certainly not limited to: Kingship, God’s sovereign control, Leadership, Obedience, Patience, and God’s faithfulness. The key verses of this book tell the ultimate story… “The LORD said to Samuel, ‘Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being King over them…Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them (1 Samuel 8:7-9).’”

(Ideas extracted from “New American Standard Bible: Life Application Study Bible.” Zondervan: Grand Rapids, MI, 1995, pgs. 436-438)

-Chapter 1: God’s timing is impeccable even though sometimes we give up hope in certain situations. Hannah found herself in one of these hopeless conundrums as the LORD had closed up her womb for a number of years. She was one of two wives that Elkanah, the Ephraimite from the hill country of Ramathaim-zophim, had. Although she was the most loved, she had been held back from bearing a child to her husband, which was absolutely disdained in this ancient culture. Elkanah was a religious man who would yearly go up to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of hosts in Shiloh, where the tabernacle, which by now was being called a temple, was located. Eli was the presiding priest, and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, also were priests to the LORD there. At the appropriate time, Elkanah would give the sacrificed portions to Peninnah, his one wife, and all her sons and daughters, but to Hannah, his barren wife, he would give a double portion out of his love, and perhaps pity, for her (1 Samuel 1:1-5).

-Jealousy got the best of Peninnah in this situation, and she provoked her rival bitterly to provoke her. She had children, and Hannah had none. Therefore, she tortured Hannah year after year causing Hannah to weep and refrain from eating out of sadness. Elkanah tried to console her, but to no avail. He reassured her that he was better to her than ten sons, but the grief grew and grew each year. One year, as Hannah was greatly distressed, she prayed before the LORD her God weeping so bitterly that Eli, who happened to be sitting in the vicinity by the doorpost of the temple of the LORD, heard her and thought her to be drunk with wine. Hannah was making a personal vow before the LORD that if He would look on her “affliction” and “remember” His maidservant to give her a son, she would indeed give this boy back to the LORD all the days of his life as a man of God never to be touched by a razor on his head. Eli, not knowing the truth about what was going on, rebuked her, but soon realized that she was not drunk by their conversation. Hannah had related how she was simply “oppressed in spirit” and that she was pouring out her soul before her Creator in supplication. She begged Eli not to consider her a worthless woman because she had spoken out of her “great concern and provocation.” Eli in the end blessed her, “Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of Him.” This greatly encouraged Hannah and she went back on her way eating once again with renewed vigor and dreams. “Her face was no longer sad (1 Samuel 1:6-18).”

-The family arose early the next morning and worshipped before the LORD before returning to their house in Ramah. Shortly afterwards, Elkanah had relations with his wife, Hannah, and they conceived, just as she had prayed. The LORD remembered her, and in due time they had a little baby boy, who was named Samuel (Shĕmuw'el- heard of God). When the time came to go back up to Shiloh for their yearly worship, offering, and paying of vows, Hannah asked permission to refrain from going there until Samuel was weaned. When he was weaned, she promised to fulfill her commitment and give her boy to the LORD forever to stay with the priests at Shiloh under the care of Eli. Elkanah told her to do what seemed best to her with the stipulation that the LORD would confirm His word in the situation. When Samuel was weaned, Hannah took him up to Shiloh with a three-year-old bull and one ephah of flour and a jug of wine to be given to the house of the LORD. Although the child was young, he was given over to the priest, Eli, after slaughtering the bull according to the Law of Moses. Hannah renewed her conversation with Eli after this elapsed time, “Oh, my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you, praying to the LORD. For this boy I prayed, and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the LORD; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the LORD.” The final sentence of the chapter claims that he (not sure if this was Eli or Samuel) then worshiped the LORD in that place (1 Samuel 1:19-28).

-*Application* Waiting, agony, provocation. We’ve all been in that place where we are more than willing to make a deal with the LORD to alleviate oppression. Hannah is not alone in her struggle. Patience is a virtue; God is at work even when we feel the pain of the meantime. Let’s talk about commitment, faithfulness to a call, and integrity. Hannah showed these things along with her husband as Samuel came along. Are we responding properly after God has blessed us with the things we’ve longed and prayed for? How about giving things we love so dearly up? We know that God will bless it when we do, but the cost can seem so high. Devote your life and your family to the LORD, and see how He will work out the process. Even if you have to look like an intoxicated fool, beg God for the desires that are on your heart and within His plan.

Verses to Memorize: 1 Samuel 1:27-28

Bible Study Notes in Ruth- Chapter 4

Ruth 4

-Now Boaz followed through with his word to seek out a kinsman redeemer for the widowed Ruth. He went to the gate and sat down there as was the custom when matters needed to be addressed. As this closer relative to Elimelech soon passed by, Boaz had him turn aside and sit down with him to offer him the opportunity to buy Elimelech’s inherited land as a redemption property. Initially, this close relative did want to buy the land and redeem it. But, when Boaz informed him that if he bought the land he needed to also acquire Ruth as his wife, the close relative thought again about his decision and for whatever reason now declined the offer. He did mention that somehow he would jeopardize his own inheritance; therefore, he allowed Boaz the right to redemption of the land and Ruth. They performed the customary removal of the sandal from one to another to confirm the exchange of the land unto the manner of attestation in Israel at the time, and the matter was completed. Boaz said to the elders and all the people who were there, “You are witnesses today that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon (Elimelech’s sons who had passed away, Ruth 4:1-9).”

-He went on, “Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so that the name of the deceased will not be cut off from his brothers or from the court of his birth place; you are witnesses today.” All the people there agreed. They then pronounced blessing upon Ruth and Boaz by saying, “May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel; and may you achieve wealth in Ephrathah and become famous in Bethlehem (Ruth 4:10-11).” They went on with the pouring out of favor, “Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring which the LORD will give you by this young woman (Ruth 4:12).” So Boaz completed his honorable and loveable mission by marrying his young bride and having sexual intimacy. They conceived by the enabling of the LORD and had a son. The women of the region blessed Naomi now and told her that indeed the LORD had raised up a redeemer who would become famous in Israel. Boaz would become a restorer of life to this older widow and a sustainer for her well-being. They went on to say something really special of this Moabitess foreigner, the impeccable and noble Ruth. She was to Naomi better than seven sons because she loved her mother-in-law and gave her a grandchild to carry on the family name (Ruth 4:13-15).

-In time Naomi laid the new child on her lap and became his nurse. He was named Obed, who later became the father of Jesse, who was the father of the future King David (Ruth 4:16-17). The book ends with the genealogy from Perez to David, a remarkable-real family line that fulfilled the ancient prophecies and would lead to the Messiah in the fullness of time (Ruth 4:18-22, Genesis 38:11-29; 49:10, Galatians 4:4-7).

-*Application* To this day, Boaz and Ruth’s names are famous in Bethlehem Ephrathah. Included is a picture of a restaurant built in the fertile area where Boaz’s wheat once grew. More important than this however is the legacy of love and redemption that truly began with this great man and woman of God. They had transformed lives that exuded class, kindness, and courage. For their character they received blessings, honor, and favor perhaps more than any other family in Israel. Let’s think about it, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, came from them. Do we want to incur the favor of God in our lives like these remarkable people? I don’t even need to answer that question do I? It’s obvious, as we allow the LORD to change our hearts, wills, and minds into conformity with His image, we too will experience the blessings of the Almighty in small and large ways.

                          (from: http://www.seetheholyland.net/field-of-boaz/#jp-carousel-4654)

Verses to Memorize: Ruth 4:10, 14

Bible Study Notes in Ruth- Chapter 3

Ruth 3

-Naomi now had a plan to move forward in an attempt to find a kinsman redeemer for her lovely daughter-in-law, Ruth. She was seeking security for this young life and developed an interesting opportunity according to the cultural tradition. She had in mind Boaz; after all, he had shown incredible kindness already in showing them favor. Ruth was operating with his maids already in the harvesting of sustenance, so this was the logical maneuver. Somehow Naomi knew that Boaz would be winnowing barley at the threshing floor on a particular night. This was a section, usually outside the city where the wheat chaff, which was useless, was separated from the good inner kernel grain on an elevated site where the wind could do its work in blowing the chaff away (see Psalm 1:4, Daniel 2:35, Malachi 4:1, Matthew 3:12, Luke 3:17). The good kernels would remain for sustenance and provision. Boaz was probably there by appointment as individuals shared this common threshing area in the community. He was staying there for the night either to prevent theft, or he may have been there waiting his turn to thresh the wheat. Harvesting was done in the daylight hours, and threshing was more of a nighttime activity in this culture. Naomi had Ruth wash herself, anoint herself with perfume, and put on her very best clothes. She was instructed to then go down to the threshing floor without making herself known to Boaz until he had finished his eating and drinking. When he lay down for the evening, she was to go and uncover his feet and lie down (a culture tradition, no sexually explicit promiscuous come on here). Naomi told Ruth that Boaz would let her know what to do next. Ruth, as always, graciously complied to Naomi’s design and followed through with the plan (Ruth 3:1-6).

-When Boaz had eaten and drank his heart to merriment, he went to lie down for the evening at the end of the heap of grain. Ruth came in secretly and uncovered his feet and lay down. In the middle of the night, Boaz awoke startled as he bent forward and observed this young woman lying at his feet. In the dark, he asked, “Who are you?” When Ruth told him who she was, she encouraged him to cover her as his close relative and maidservant. Boaz blessed her in the Name of the LORD for her kindness in considering an older man, probably past his prime, for a redeemer. However, there was one matter that needed to be taken care of first. After telling her not to fear and that he would do all that she asked for because she was a woman of excellence, he related that there was a relative closer to their family than he. Ruth was instructed by Boaz to stay there with him for the night in safety until the morning when he could see if the other-closer relative would redeem her or not. If not, Boaz promised, as the LORD lives, to redeem her himself. She lay at his feet until morning in obedience to this benevolent man. But while it was still dark, she departed before anyone could recognize that a woman had come to the threshing floor, which could give indication that this kind of activity would not have been condoned by the society. But, he could have been keeping her activity hidden for the sake of the closer relative. He didn’t want to hurt any reputations it appears from the text. But before she could go, Boaz once again blessed her with sustenance to share with her mother-in-law. He asked for her outward cloak and filled it with six measures of barley. Ruth then went into the city and gave the provisions to her mother-in-law. Upon approaching, Naomi asked, “How did it go my daughter?” Ruth gleefully told her all that had transpired, and how Boaz did not want to leave Naomi empty-handed. The chapter ends with this fundamental statement, “Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today (Ruth 3:7-18).”

-*Application* Boaz must have considered his relationship with Ruth sometime prior to what happened on the threshing floor. He knew the cultural protocol, and kept his righteous ways before him at all times. His wisdom shines through and is perceived by all. He was a true man of success in every facet. Naomi, knowing his character, knew that Boaz was a man that could be counted on. How good are we at keeping our word and fulling our promises? This is the meditation of the day from this Scripture (Psalm 15:4).

Verses to Memorize: Ruth 3:6, 11