This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Ruth 1-4, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Long ago, in a faraway land, a woman named Naomi lived with her husband and their two sons in Bethlehem. But one day, there was a famine in the land, and they had to move to a different country called Moab. There, Naomi’s husband died, leaving her alone with her two sons. Her sons grew up and married two Moabite women named Orpah and Ruth. But then, Naomi’s sons also died, and she was left with only her daughters-in-law.
One day, Naomi heard that there was food again in Bethlehem, so she decided to go back to her hometown. She told her daughters-in-law to go back to their families and find new husbands. Orpah decided to go back, but Ruth didn’t want to leave Naomi alone. Ruth told Naomi, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” So Ruth went with Naomi back to Bethlehem.
When they got there, the people were surprised to see them. Naomi was sad and asked everyone to call her Mara instead of Naomi because she felt that God had treated her very badly. But Ruth worked hard to take care of Naomi, and one day she went to the fields to pick up leftover grains of wheat.
The owner of the field was a man named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s husband. Boaz noticed Ruth and asked his workers to let her pick up as much wheat as she wanted. Boaz was kind to Ruth and made sure she had enough to eat and drink.
Later, Naomi told Ruth to go to Boaz at night and lay down at his feet. This was a sign that she wanted Boaz to marry her. Boaz agreed to marry Ruth, but there was another man who had a right to marry her first. The other man did not want to marry Ruth, so Boaz and Ruth got married.
They had a son named Obed, who became the grandfather of King David. Ruth and Boaz were blessed by God for their faithfulness, and they became an important part of Jesus’ family tree.
Biblical Lessons
- God is always with us even when things are difficult
- Loyalty and love are important in relationships
- We should be kind and help others
- God blesses those who follow Him and do good things
Related Stories
Must-Read Christian Books
Mere Christianity
Lewis lays out the core beliefs of the Christian faith with clarity, logic, and imagination, rooted in Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Knowledge of the Holy
Short, powerful meditations on the attributes of God that lift the reader into a bigger, more biblical view of who He is.
View on Amazon
Holiness
A rich, pastoral treatment of sin, sanctification, and the fight for holiness in the Christian life, deeply rooted in Scripture.
View on Amazon
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
Practical, biblical guidance on disciplines like prayer, Bible intake, worship, and fasting to grow in godliness.
View on Amazon
The Holiness of God
Sproul unfolds the blazing holiness of God and why a right fear of the Lord is vital to true worship.
View on Amazon
The Trellis and the Vine
A vision for church ministry centered on disciple-making rather than mere structures and programs.
View on Amazon
Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands
Biblical counseling and discipleship that helps believers speak God's truth into one another's lives.
View on Amazon
Respectable Sins
Exposes the "ordinary" sins Christians often tolerate and calls us to gospel-driven holiness.
View on Amazon
The Gospel for Real Life
Shows how the finished work of Christ applies to everyday struggles and assurance.
View on Amazon
God's Big Picture
Traces the storyline of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in a clear, Christ-centered way.
View on Amazon
Nine Marks of a Healthy Church
Outlines nine biblical priorities for congregations that want to be faithful and healthy.
View on Amazon
The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination
Explains and defends the doctrines of grace and God's sovereign election from Scripture.
View on Amazon
Spurgeon on the Christian Life
A portrait of Charles Spurgeon's Christ-centered theology and joyful piety.
View on Amazon
The Bruised Reed
A tender Puritan work on Christ's gentleness toward weak and struggling believers.
View on Amazon
The Heidelberg Catechism
A beloved Reformation catechism that teaches comfort in Christ through a Q&A format.
View on Amazon
The Gospel Comes with a House Key
A call to radical, everyday hospitality as a means of gospel witness and discipleship.
View on Amazon
Christ of the Covenants
Explains the biblical covenants and how they reveal Christ and God's plan of redemption.
View on Amazon
Idols of the Heart
Helps believers identify and repent of heart-idols through the lens of Scripture.
View on Amazon