John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. Let thine eyes be upon the field that they do reap, and go thou after them , etc.] And gather up the loose ears of corn dropped and left by them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee ? do her no hurt, or offer any incivility or rudeness to her, or even play any wanton tricks with her, as is too common with young persons in the fields at harvest time. This charge he now gave in her hearing, or however suggests that he would, and therefore she might depend upon it she should have no molestation nor any affront given her: and when thou art athirst : as at such a season of the year, and in the field at such work, and in those hot countries, was frequently the case: go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn ; which they had fetched from wells and fountains in or near the city, and had put into bottles, pitchers, etc. for the use of the reapers and gatherers; we read of the well of Bethlehem, ( 2 Samuel 23:15) now she is ordered to go to these vessels, and drink when she pleased, without asking leave of any; and Boaz no doubt gave it in charge to his young men not to hinder her.
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 עיניך5869 בשׂדה7704 אשׁר834 יקצרון7114 והלכת1980 אחריהן310 הלוא3808 צויתי6680 את853 הנערים5288 לבלתי1115 נגעך5060 וצמת6770 והלכת1980 אל413 הכלים3627 ושׁתית8354 מאשׁר834 ישׁאבון7579 הנערים׃5288
