Jos 24:15-22, Rut 1:11-18, 2Sa 15:19-20, Luk 14:25-33 | TSK | STEP | choose. whether the gods. or the gods. as for me.

Ye are witnesses.Ye have been sufficiently apprised of the difficulties in your way--of God's holiness, and the nature of his service--your own weakness, inconstancy, and insufficiency--your need of the Divine help, and the hope of assistance held out in the law--and the awful consequences of apostasy: and now ye make your choice. Remember then that ye are witnesses against yourselves; and your own conscience will be witness, judge, and executioner.

De 26:17; Job 15:6; Lu 19:22

ye have.

Ps 119:11,173; Lu 10:42

Ruth 1:11-18

are there.This alludes to the custom that when a married brother died, without leaving posterity, his brother should take his widow; and the children of such marriages were accounted those of the deceased brother. This address of Naomi to her daughter-in-law is exceedingly tender, persuasive, and affecting.

that they.

Ge 38:11; De 25:5

too old.

Ge 17:17; 1Ti 5:9

I should have. or, I were with.

tarry. Heb. hope. it grieveth me much. Heb. I have muchbitterness. the hand.

De 2:15; Jud 2:15; 1Sa 5:11; Job 19:21; Ps 32:4; 38:2; 39:9,10

Orpah.

Ge 31:28,55; 1Ki 19:20; Mt 10:37; 19:22; Mr 10:21,22; 2Ti 4:10

but Ruth.The LXX. add, [kai epestrepsen eis ton laon autes,] "and returned to her own people." The Vulgate, Syriac, and Arabic are to the same purpose. It seems a very natural addition, and agrees with the assertion in the next verse; and is accordingly adopted by Houbigant as a part of the text.

De 4:4; 10:20; Pr 17:17; 18:24; Isa 14:1; Zec 8:23; Mt 16:24

Joh 6:66-69; Ac 17:34; Heb 10:39

gone back.

Ps 36:3; 125:5; Zep 1:6; Mt 13:20,21; Heb 10:38; 1Jo 2:19

and unto.They were probably both idolaters at this time. That they were proselytes is an unfounded conjecture; and the conversion of Ruth now only commenced.

her gods.

Jud 11:24

return.

Jos 24:15,19; 2Sa 15:19,20; 2Ki 2:2; Lu 14:26-33; 24:28

Ruth.A more perfect surrender of friendly feelings to a friend was never made. This was a most extraordinary and disinterested attachment.

Intreat me not. or, Be not against me. to leave.

2Ki 2:2-6; Lu 24:28,29; Ac 21:13

whither.

2Sa 15:21; Mt 8:19; Joh 13:37; Re 14:4

thy people.

2:11,12; Ps 45:10; Isa 14:1

thy God.