8 Then Boaz said to Ruth , "Listen carefully , my daughter . Do not go to glean in another field ; furthermore , do not go on from this one , but stay here with my maids . 9 "Let your eyes be on the field which they reap , and go after them. Indeed , I have commanded the servants not to touch you. When you are thirsty , go to the water jars and drink from what the servants draw ." 10 Then she fell on her face , bowing to the ground and said to him, "Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner ?" 11 Boaz replied to her, "All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth , and came to a people that you did not previously know . 12 " May the Lord reward your work , and your wages be full from the Lord , the God of Israel , under whose wings you have come to seek refuge ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ruth 2:8-12
Commentary on Ruth 2:4-16
(Read Ruth 2:4-16)
The pious and kind language between Boaz and his reapers shows that there were godly persons in Israel. Such language as this is seldom heard in our field; too often, on the contrary, what is immoral and corrupt. A stranger would form a very different opinion of our land, from that which Ruth would form of Israel from the converse and conduct of Boaz and his reapers. But true religion will teach a man to behave aright in all states and conditions; it will form kind masters and faithful servants, and cause harmony in families. True religion will cause mutual love and kindness among persons of different ranks. It had these effects on Boaz and his men. When he came to them he prayed for them. They did not, as soon as he was out of hearing curse him, as some ill-natured servants that hate their master's eye, but they returned his courtesy. Things are likely to go on well where there is such good-will as this between masters and servants. They expressed their kindness to each other by praying one for another. Boaz inquired concerning the stranger he saw, and ordered her to be well treated. Masters must take care, not only that they do no hurt themselves, but that they suffer not their servants and those under them to do wrong. Ruth humbly owned herself unworthy of favours, seeing she was born and brought up a heathen. It well becomes us all to think humbly of ourselves, esteeming others better than ourselves. And let us, in the kindness of Boaz to Ruth, note the kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ to poor sinners.