John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. The Lord grant you , etc.] Some make a supplement here, the Targum a perfect reward, Aben Ezra an husband; and so Josephus says f17 , she wished them happier marriages than they had with her sons, who were so soon taken from them; but a supplement seems needless, for what follows is connected with the wish, and contains the sum of it: that you may find rest ; each of you: in the house of her husband ; that is, that they might each of them be blessed with a good husband, with whom they might live free from brawls and contentions, as well as from the distressing cares of life, having husbands to provide all things necessary for them, and so from all the sorrows and distresses of a widowhood estate: then she kissed them ; in token of her affection for them, and in order to part with them; it being usual then as now for relations and friends to kiss at parting: and they lifted up their voice and wept ; to think they must part, and never see one another more; their passions worked vehemently, and broke out in sobs, and sighs, and tears, and loud crying.
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 יתן5414 יהוה3068 לכם ומצאן4672 מנוחה4496 אשׁה802 בית1004 אישׁה376 ותשׁק5401 להן ותשׂאנה5375 קולן6963 ותבכינה׃1058
