Old-Testament Survey: Books of Ruth and 1 Samuel (7) A love story and Israel’s final judge Title Slide: Old Testament Survey—Books of Ruth and 1 Samuel (7)

Ruth During the period of the judges, a man named Elimelech moved to Moab to obtain food for his family during the famine in Israel. He took his wife Naomi and his two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. Elimelech died in Moab. His sons married Moabite women—Ruth and Orphah. After ten years, the sons also died. Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem.

Ruth When her daughters-in-law decide to return to Judah with her, Naomi told them to stay in Moab where they had a better chance of remarrying. Both women wanted to go with Naomi. Orphah heeded her advice and remained in Moab, but Ruth returned to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law. “But Ruth said: ‘Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.’” (1:16,17) The women return to Bethlehem.

Ruth When they arrive in Bethlehem, Ruth goes into the fields to glean grain left behind by the harvesters. (Deut. 24:19-22; Lev. 19:9,10) She gleans in the field of a man name Boaz. She wins his favor because of her loyalty to Naomi and her willingness to work hard to support her. Boaz, a rich man, shows special favor to Ruth. Permits her to eat with his maidens. Arranges for the workers to leave extra grain for her in the path where she is gleaning.

Ruth Naomi tells Ruth that Boaz is a close relative. She also tells her about the law of Levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). Ruth sleeps at the feet of Boaz to remind him of his duty to the law so she can bear children. Boaz explains that there is another relative who is closer than he is. On the following day, before ten witnesses, the other man refuses to redeem Elimelech’s property and assume his duty toward Ruth. A son, Obed, is born to Ruth and Boaz. Obed fathered Jesse, who fathered David.

1 Samuel We now look at Israel’s last two judges. Eli, the 14th judge, judged Israel for 40 years. Samuel became the 15th judge. Elkanah had two wives—Penniah, who had children, and Hannah, who was barren. Elkanah loved Hannah more than he loved Penniah. Each time they went to Shiloh to worship, Hannah prayed that God would give her a son. She was willing to give that son to the service of the Lord. God heard her prayer, and Hannah gave birth to a son whom she named Samuel.

Eli’s Reign Ends, and God Calls Samuel Eli’s own sons were evil men. As priests, they took more than their allotted portions. They were also immoral. Eli did not restrain them; he allowed them to continue as priests (3:13). Eli was told that God was going to punish him. Later, during the night, God called to the young Samuel, giving him the message for Eli (3:10-18). Samuel grew in favor with God (3:19-21). The Philistines and Israel fought at a place called Ebenezer. Eli’s sons brought the ark of the covenant to the battle; the people rejoiced (4:1-6).

Eli’s Reign Ends, and God Calls Samuel The following day, the ark is captured, Eli’s sons are killed, and Israel is defeated. When Eli hears that the ark has been captured and his sons are dead, he falls over and breaks his neck (4:11-18). Upon hearing of her husband’s death, Eli’s daughter-in-law goes into labor and gives birth to a son—Ichabod—meaning, ”the glory of the Lord is departed from Israel” (4:19-22). Thus, God’s judgment against Eli’s house is complete.

The Philistines and the Ark They carry the Ark to Ashdod and set it before the face of their god, Dagon. The next morning, he has fallen on his face. They restore Dagon to his place. The next morning, his head and palms are cut off (5:1-5). A plague of tumors breaks out against the people of Ashdod, so they move the ark to Gath (5:8). A plague of tumors also breaks out in Gath, and they soon move the ark to Ekron. Tumors also plague Ekron. After seven months, they decide to return the ark, with a trespass offering, to Israel (5:11,12).

The Philistines and the Ark They place the ark, with the trespass offering, on a new cart pulled by two milk cows whose calves were in the stalls. If the cows return to the calves, the plague is just coincidental to the ark’s capture. If they pull the cart to a nearby Israel town, the Philistines will know that God sent the plague (6:-1-10). The cows pull the ark to Beth-shemesh (6:10-18).

Israel Sins With the Ark They brought the ark to the house of a man named Joshua. The Levites came down to service the ark. The men of the city viewed the ark--a violation of the law. Only the Levites were allowed to view the ark. God sent a plague and 50,700 men died. They moved the ark to Kirjath-jearim, where it remained for 20 years in the house of Abinadab (7:1,2).

Samuel’s Call to the People Samuel calls on Israel to put away their foreign gods so God will deliver them from the Philistines. Israel gathers at Mizpah to worship God. As they worship, the Philistines attack them, but God delivers them (7:10). Samuel erected a stone, and they called the place Ebenezer, ”the stone of help” (7:12). Israel captured many cities they had previously lost to the Philistines (7:14) Samuel judged Israel his whole life. Rode a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah.