Naomi

13So Boaz married Ruth, and she became his wife. The LORD let her have a baby, and she gave birth to a son.

So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.

14The women said to Naomi, "Praise the LORD! Today he gave you a family helper. May his name be known all over Israel.

And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.

NoteA family helper is a relative whose job was to take care of his family. The women mean this baby will grow up and care for Naomi.

15He will make you glad again. He will care for you when you are old. Your son's wife loves you. She is better to you than seven sons, and she gave him birth."

And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.

NoteBack then, having seven sons was the very best thing people could imagine. Saying Ruth is better than seven sons was very high praise.

16Naomi took the baby and held him close. She helped take care of him.

And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.

NoteNaomi is the baby's grandmother. She held him and helped feed and care for him.

17The women next door gave him a name. They said, "Naomi has a son!" They called him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, and Jesse was the father of David.

And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

NoteUsually the father chose a baby's name. Here the neighbor women gave the name, which was unusual. David grew up to be the most famous king of Israel.