John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab , etc.] After the death of her two sons, and having heard of the ceasing of the famine in Israel, she had a desire to go into her own country, where she would have better opportunities of serving the Lord; and having no heart to stay in Moab, an idolatrous country, where she had lost her husband, and her two sons; and therefore prepared for her journey, and set forward, and her two daughters-in-law with her, to accompany her some part of the way; for it does not appear to be their intention, at least at first setting out, to go with her into the land of Canaan; and therefore it is only said, that they arose that she might return , etc. for she had heard in the country of Moab : which was near the land of Israel, the borders of it reaching to the salt sea; the Targum says she heard it by the mouth of an angel, but it is highly probable it was by common fame: that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread ; that he had been kind and gracious to the people of Israel, by granting them plenty of provisions; which might be their happy case after Gideon had vanquished the Midianites, who came yearly, and destroyed and carried off the fruits of the earth, which had caused a famine; (see Judges 6:3-6 8:28). It seems as if the famine had continued ten years, (see Ruth 1:4) nor need this be thought incredible, since there was a famine in Lydia, which lasted eighteen years f16 .
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-14 - Naomi began to think of returning, after the death of her two sons When death comes into a family, it ought to reform what is amiss there Earth is made bitter to us, that heaven may be made dear. Naomi seem to have been a person of faith and piety. She dismissed he daughters-in-law with prayer. It is very proper for friends, when the part, to part with them thus part in love. Did Naomi do well, to discourage her daughters from going with her, when she might save the from the idolatry of Moab, and bring them to the faith and worship of the God of Israel? Naomi, no doubt, desired to do that; but if the went with her, she would not have them to go upon her account. Thos that take upon them a profession of religion only to oblige their friends, or for the sake of company, will be converts of small value If they did come with her, she would have them make it their deliberat choice, and sit down first and count the cost, as it concerns those to do who make a profession of religion. And more desire "rest in the house of a husband," or some wordly settlement or earthly satisfaction than the rest to which Christ invites our souls; therefore when trie they will depart from Christ, though perhaps with some sorrow.
Original Hebrew ותקם6965 היא1931 וכלתיה3618 ותשׁב7725 משׂדי7704 מואב4124 כי3588 שׁמעה8085 בשׂדה7704 מואב4124 כי3588 פקד6485 יהוה3069 את853 עמו5971 לתת5414 להם לחם׃3899
