John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. And, behold, Boaz came to Bethlehem , etc.] Into the field, to see how his workmen went on, and performed their service, and to encourage them in it by his presence, and by his courteous language and behaviour, and to see what provisions were wanting, that he might take care and give orders for the sending of them, it being now near noon, as it may be supposed; and though he was a man of great wealth, he did not think it below him to go into his field, and look after his servants, which was highly commendable in him, and which showed his diligence and industry, as well as his humility. So a king in Homer is represented as among his reapers, with his sceptre in his hand, and cheerful. Pliny relates it, as a saying of the ancients, that the eye of the master is the most fruitful thing in the field; and Aristotle reports, that a Persian being asked what fattened a horse most, replied, the eye of the master; and an African being asked what was the best dung for land, answered, the steps of his master: and said unto the reapers, the Lord be with you ; to give them health, and strength, and industry in their work; the Targum is, “may the Word of the Lord be your help:” and they answered him, the Lord bless you ; with a good harvest, and good weather to gather it in; and though these salutations were of a civil kind, yet they breathe the true spirit of sincere and undissembled piety, and show the sense that both master and servants had of the providence of God attending the civil affairs of life, without whose help, assistance, and blessing, nothing succeeds well.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 4-16 - The pious and kind language between Boaz and his reapers shows tha there were godly persons in Israel. Such language as this is seldo heard in our field; too often, on the contrary, what is immoral an corrupt. A stranger would form a very different opinion of our land from that which Ruth would form of Israel from the converse and conduc of Boaz and his reapers. But true religion will teach a man to behav aright in all states and conditions; it will form kind masters an faithful servants, and cause harmony in families. True religion wil cause mutual love and kindness among persons of different ranks. It ha 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 returne his courtesy. Things are likely to go on well where there is suc good-will as this between masters and servants. They expressed their kindness to each other by praying one for another. Boaz inquire 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 an 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.
Original Hebrew והנה2009 בעז1162 בא935 מבית לחם1035 ויאמר559 לקוצרים7114 יהוה3068 עמכם5973 ויאמרו559 לו יברכך1288 יהוה׃3068
