Ruth Summary

Title:	The book is named for its primary character.  Ruth is a Moabite woman who married a man from Judah.
Author:	The author of the book of Ruth is never identified.  We simply do not know for sure who the author is.  As with Judges, Hebrew tradition states that Samuel is the author of the book.
Date:	We know the story of Ruth occurs during the time of the judges.  We also know that Boaz is the son of Salmon and Rahab.  Rahab was the prostitute who hid the spies in Jericho.  That would mean (if there is no skipping of generations) this story occurs earlier in the 356 year period of the judges.  If Samuel is the author, the account would have been written a couple hundred years after the actual events occurred.  A later time of writing does seem to make sense since there is reference to the genealogy leading to David.  Samuel was the prophet who anointed David to be King so he would be knowledgeable of this information.
Main Theme	The main theme of Ruth is 'Commitment'.  Commitment to others.  Commitment to God.  Love lived out to its fullest.
Location:	The story of Ruth takes place first in Bethlehem of Judah, then in Moab, and then back in Bethlehem of Judah.
History	During a time of famine Elimelech took his wife Naomi and his sons from Bethlehem where they lived to the land of Moab.  During the time the family is in Moab, Elimelech and both of his married sons die.  Naomi returns to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law Ruth.  Ruth is introduced to Boaz and becomes yet another foreign woman who is brought in to the family of Israel, the Tribe of Judah, and the lineage of the Messiah.
Major Characters:	Ruth
	Naomi
	Boaz

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