How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #1
When they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Chilion also died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. (NRSV 1:4-5)
They dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. (KJV 1:4-5)
Naomi is left without a man in sight. This is a very big deal for ladies of the Bible. She can't just go eat, pray, love in Bali. Sadly, there was no way a woman could provide for herself without men around, so she had to immediately find herself a man—preferably a relative. She can't just hold out and wait for Javier Bardem to come along.
Quote #2
Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back each of you to your mother's house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant that you may find security, each of you in the house of your husband." (NRSV 1:8-9)
Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. (KJV 1:8-9)
Naomi begs her daughters-in-law to return home and look for new husbands right away. The biggest bummer is that these newly single ladies don't even get time to mourn for their lost hubbies and their lost marriages. They've gotta find some men, stat, or else lose, well, everything. And in the meantime, they've got to rely on the kindness of their mother's husbands, too. Here's hoping they don't hog the food.
Quote #3
Boaz said to Ruth, "Now listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Keep your eyes on the field that is being reaped, and follow behind them. I have ordered the young men not to bother you. If you get thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn." (NRSV 2:8-9)
Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. (KJV 2:8-9)
Boaz tells Ruth to stick with the girls otherwise his male servants might harass her. We don't really know why though. Is it because Ruth was a looker? Or was it just that dangerous for women to walk around unaccompanied?