31 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter , shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? 2 "Now is not Boaz our kinsman , with whose maids you were? Behold , he winnows barley at the threshing floor tonight . 3 "Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes , and go down to the threshing floor ; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking . 4 "It shall be when he lies down , that you shall notice the place where e he lies , and you shall go and uncover his feet and lie down ; then he will tell you what you shall do ." 5 She said to her, " All that you say I will do ."
6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law had commanded her. 7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry , he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain ; and she came secretly , and uncovered his feet and lay down . 8 It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward ; and behold , a woman was lying at his feet . 9 He said , "Who are you?" And she answered , "I am Ruth your maid . So spread your covering over your maid , for you are a close relative ." 10 Then he said , " May you be blessed of the Lord , my daughter . You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men , whether poor or rich . 11 "Now , my daughter , do not fear . I will do for you whatever e you ask , for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence . 12 "Now it is true I am a close relative ; however , there is a relative closer than I. 13 "Remain this night , and when morning comes , if he will redeem you, good ; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the Lord lives . Lie down until morning ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ruth 3:1-13
Commentary on Ruth 3:1-5
(Read Ruth 3:1-5)
The married state should be a rest, as much as any thing upon earth can be so, as it ought to fix the affections and form a connexion for life. Therefore it should be engaged in with great seriousness, with earnest prayers for direction, for the blessing of God, and with regard to his precepts. Parents should carefully advise their children in this important concern, that it may be well with them as to their souls. Be it always remembered, That is best for us which is best for our souls. The course Naomi advised appears strange to us; but it was according to the laws and usages of Israel. If the proposed measure had borne the appearance of evil, Naomi would not have advised it. Law and custom gave Ruth, who was now proselyted to the true religion, a legal claim upon Boaz. It was customary for widows to assert this claim, Deuteronomy 25:5-10. But this is not recorded for imitation in other times, and is not to be judged by modern rules. And if there had been any evil in it, Ruth was a woman of too much virtue and too much sense to have listened to it.
Commentary on Ruth 3:6-13
(Read Ruth 3:6-13)
What in one age or nation would be improper, is not always so in another age or another nation. Being a judge of Israel, Boaz would tell Ruth what she should do; also whether he had the right of redemption, and what methods must be taken, and what rites used, in order to accomplishing her marriage with him or another person. The conduct of Boaz calls for the highest praise. He attempted not to take advantage of Ruth; he did not disdain her as a poor, destitute stranger, nor suspect her of any ill intentions. He spoke honourably of her as a virtuous woman, made her a promise, and as soon as the morning arrived, sent her away with a present to her mother-in-law. Boaz made his promise conditional, for there was a kinsman nearer than he, to whom the right of redemption belonged.