The Lord has brought me back empty (Ruth q1)

Ruth 1:1-22

Key Verse 21a I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty.

1.       [1-5] Who was Elimelek? When, why, and with whom did he go to Moab (1-2; Ref. Jdg 21:25; Lev 26:18-20; Deut 32:20-24) There what happened to Elimelek (3)? After his death, who did his two sons marry? (4a)?  When did the two sons die (5a)? What was the result (5b)?  

2.       [6-13] When, and why did Naomi set out to return home (6-7)? On the road, what did Naomi say to her daughters in law (8-9a)? When they expressed their will to follow her to her people, how did she reason with them so that they might go their own way (11-13)?   Why would it be more bitter for her than for them (13b)?

3.       [14-18] What did Orpah choose to do (14a)? When Ruth clung to her, how did Naomi persuade her to follow Orpah (15)? What was the reason why Ruth decided to stay with Naomi (16-17)? Discuss her decision in regard to her belief, commitment, and care for Naomi (Cf. Jdg 3;12-30; 11:25).

4.       [ 19-22] What did Naomi come to know about Ruth? When they arrived the home town Bethlehem, why was the whole town stirred (19-21; )? When did they arrive in Bethlehem (22)?

5.       Discuss and compare the beliefs of Naomi and Ruth, and their perspectives of their lives.