Naomi and Ruth Return to Bethlehem

During the period when the judges ruled, a famine occurred in the land of Judah. A man from Bethlehem named Elimelech traveled to the country of Moab to reside there as a foreigner, taking his wife Naomi and his two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. While living in Moab, Elimelech died, leaving Naomi with her two sons (Ruth 1:3). The sons subsequently married Moabite women named Orpah and Ruth. After they had lived in Moab for approximately ten years, both Mahlon and Chilion also died, leaving Naomi without her husband or her two children.

Upon hearing that the Lord had provided food for his people in Judah, Naomi prepared to leave Moab. She instructed her daughters-in-law to return to their mothers' houses, wishing that they might find security in the homes of new husbands. Although both women initially wept and expressed a desire to remain with her, Naomi insisted they stay in their own land, noting she was too old to have more sons for them to marry (Ruth 1:12). Orpah eventually kissed Naomi and departed to return to her people and her gods, but Ruth clung to her mother-in-law and refused to leave.

Ruth declared that she would go where Naomi went and lodge where Naomi lodged, stating that Naomi's people would be her people and Naomi's God would be her God (Ruth 1:16). When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to accompany her, she stopped urging her to return. The two women traveled together until they reached Bethlehem. Their arrival caused the entire city to be stirred, and the women of the town questioned if this was indeed Naomi. Naomi requested that they call her Mara instead, because she felt the Almighty had dealt bitterly with her. She stated that she had gone away full, but the Lord had brought her back empty (Ruth 1:21). The text does not say how they funded their journey, but they arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.