The Biblical Story of

RUTH

in Verse

By

JOHN T. ADKINS

COPYRIGHTED, 1942, BY

JOHN T. ADKINS

Published by

THE HOLLY CHIEFTAIN

Holly, Colorad

PREFACE

When I was a lad yet quite small And subject to my mother's call, I liked to sit around and dream Of interesting things I'd seen.

About the stories I'd been told Of ladies fair and warriors bold. Folks who were good—Folks who were bad And thus described by dear old Dad.

Books were scarce when I was a lad At home. About the only book we had Was a family bible, morocco bound, And heavy for me to carry around.

It was always a treat if there came a day When I had to stay indoors to play; For I knew that to keep me from romping round, Mother would get that old Bible down.

She wrould open this book where she knew I could see The pictures of folks who most interested me. And one of the pictures this old book revealed, Was Ruth, as she gleaned in the harvest field.

In the years that followed, and I older grew, I read this love story many times through. And with each review, it seemed more sublime, So I decided to write it in rhyme.

Yours sincerely,

JOHN T. ADKINS.

 

RUTH

 

Dedicated to

MY WIFE

The Biblical Story of

RUTH

Now it came to pass, as this story goes, In the land of Judah, a famine arose; And Elimelech gathered all that he had; With his family of three he moved to Moab.

A land of strange gods, "but with food to spare," And the good book records: "They continued there," And "Israel's God" they never forgot While dwelling among the descendants of Lot.

Well, time moved on; but there came a sad day When the husband and father passed away, Thus, leaving Naomi with the home to keep While the boys did farming and tended the sheep.

Then the boys took wives, as becomes a youth; One took Orpha and the other took Ruth. As we read and watch this story unfold, We are sure there is much that is not told;

For the author speaks not of domestic affairs, Nor of love, affection, worries or cares. Though they "dwelt there about ten years," 'tis said, The next that we know, "both husbands are dead."

After Naomi's two sons had passed away, She made preparations to get on her way Back to Bethlehem; for there it was said "The famine was over, her kinsmen had bread."

So she arose, with her daughters-in-law two; She kissed and embraced them, bade them adieu. "Return thou to the house of your mother," she said, "And the Lord deal with you, as you dealt with the dead.'

"Go seek ye comfort and peace while you can In the house, each of you, of some good man." But they lifted their voices in anguish and cried: "Nay! Nay! Tis with you we wish to abide."

Again she addressed them: "Why go you with me? Are there any  more sons in mv womb? Can't you see Or discern that I'm old-—that I live all alone, But if this were not true, would you wait 'till they're grown?"

Once again they lifted their voices in woe, As time had arrived for Naomi to go; So Orpha kissed her, then turned with a sigh; But Ruth, she refused to bid her good-bye.

Like a small frightened child Ruth refused to part With her mother-in-law, who had won her heart. Said Naomi to Ruth, to test her further: "Behold thou Orpha, returns to her mother."

But Ruth being steadfastly minded to go, Spoke those inspiring words that stand all aglow With pathos and love, from a great soul inspired, In that old book of Ruth, we've read and admired.

"Entreat me not to leave thee, or return from Following after thee: For where thou goest, I will Go: And where thou lodgest, I v.ill lodge. Thy people shall be my people, atid thy God my God Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be Buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if Aught but death part thee and me."

To these words Naomi had naught to say, But she now proceeded to lead the way To the Bethlehem, remembered so well, As the little town where she bade farewell To her friends and kindred and neighbors dear That she had not seen for many a year.

Naomi's emotions must have been great, When at last she approached the city's gate. Methinks I can see them walking the street, Weary and hungry, perhaps sore of feet; Watching for faces of kindred or friend, Thankful their journey had come to an end.

Now there were no telephones in that day, And I've wondered a bit in just what way That the word so quickly had spread around That two strange women had arrived in town.

To be sure the news spread around some way; Perhaps the "Ladies Aid" had met that day, And some one moved to adjourn, when 'twas found Naomi and Ruth, had arrived in town.

For it came to pass that the town turned out To see what the excitement was all about. And they said: "Is this Naomi of old After all these years, returned to the fold?"

"Call me not Naomi" they heard her say, But, "From now henceforth please call -me Mara. For the Lord hath not dealt kindly with me; I went away full, but as you can see I came home empty handed, touched with shame And am no more worthy to be called that name.**

Yes, they came home empty, as she had said, And their problem nowr was how to get bread. For Ruth, having this very thought in mind, Said tp her mother: "Let me go and find A field-where the harvest is under way, And perhaps they will let me glean today."

Now Ruth was a virtuous woman, we're told; Modest and shy, not forward or bold; But she know the value of her form and face As a means of courting this favor and grace In the eyes of the farmer, she would meet, When she gleaned in his field of corn or wheat.

So they both agreed that she make a try, And she went to work in a field nearby, Knowing not, the field she had entered in, Belonged to Boaz who was her close kin.

Now Boaz. though a farmer, lived in town, But he managed each day to make the round, Inspecting the work in the harvest field, And guessing how much the barley would yield.

So this day when he came for his daily task, Saluting his foreman, he hastened to ask: "Whose damsel is this? Is she one that's new?' His foreman then told him all that he knew.

Of how she had come in the early morn, And prayed to glean in the barley and corn. So she went to work, for I gave her leave To gather all that the reapers did leave.

"Then," said Boaz, "Hear thou what I say? Go not to glean from this field away. Neither go from hence, but abide Here, close fast by my maidens' side.

"Let thine eyes be on the field they reap And follow them. But I warn you to keep Away from those younger men that you see, For have I not charged them not to touch thee?

Then she fell on her face, bowed herself to the ground And she said unto him: "May I ask why I've found Such grace in thine eyes—protected from danger? For everyone knows that I am a stranger.

Said Boaz to Ruth: "Has it not been shown, How your mother-inlaw's burdens you've borne? How you left your kindred to bring her safe home That she might not spend her last days alone? May the God of Israel recompense thee, Under whose gracious wings thou hast come to be."

Said Ruth: "Let me find favor in thy sight, For thou hast comforted me in my plight. And for that thou hast spoken friendly to me, Though not like unto thy handmaidens I be."

Said Boaz: At meal lime, come Ihou and eat At the reaper's table, findSaid Boaz: "At mealtime, come thou and eat At the reaper's table, find thou a seat." So Ruth accepted in her gracious way And sat with the reapers and ate that day.  Ihou a seat. So Buth accepted in her gracious way And sal with the reapers and ate tha t day.

Now Boaz being in a jovial mood Conversed with Ruth while he passed the food, i Saying: "Dip thy morsel in this wine, * And this parched corn you'll find very fine."

Ruth finished her meal, and with eyes downcast She left for the field to finish her task. For this duty of making a living for two Was a self imposed task she proposed to do.

She had asked favors, but not ¥or dole, Nor had she asked for silver or gold. Just permission this fallen grain to collect, And be able to keep her own self respect.

And Boaz observing this woman fair As she left for the field, became aware That not all the interest he felt had been Prompted solely, because she was his kin.

His duties were plainly described in his creed, Concerning a kinsman's widow in need; But his duty now was a handy excuse To be used in lightening the labors of Ruth.

His face was flushed, and his pulse was high And a little confused he turned with a sigh To observe at a glance, a smile on it's way To the face of his help; who were watching this play

He little knew the course he was taking Would in the future be history making. That Kings and warriors, in the distant dim, Would be tracing their lineage back to him.

So calling the men who were in his pay, He said: "Let her glean wherever she may. Let some handfuls fall to the ground on purpose,  where it's easily found.

"If among the sheaves she gleans a Idt, Allow her to do so, rebuke her not." So Ruth labored until the sun was low. And all the young reapers ceased to mow

Then, beating out what she had gleaned that day She gathered it up and went on her way To the city where Naomi did dwell Much elated that she had done so well.

When Naomi saw the amount she had gleaned, Which was near an ephah pf barley cleaned, She rejoiced and said: "Blessed be he Who did this day take knowledge of thee.

Tell me my daughter, just where did you find A harvest field, with an owner so kind?' Ruth, replying to her mother's request, Told of her experience with some zest.

How the foreman had allowed her to glean; How Boaz then had appeared on the scene; How she drank from the vessel the young men drew; How at mealtime she ate with the harvest crew.

How Boaz commanded that she should keep Very close by his young men while they reap, Till the grain is all cut and all in store, Awaiting the flail on the threshing floor.

Her mother-in-law said: "There is no doubt But that it's good policy that you go out With his maidens; and never be seen In any one's field but his, w?hen you glean."

So each day she came, and with his maidens xdid meet, Till the end of the harvest of barley and wheat.

Now Naomi was old, with little to do; But her mind was clear, and being a Jew Her time was occupied laying a plan That would secure for Ruth, some worthy man.

To be sure We suspect her motives two fold, For she needed a home and was growing old. .She knew that if fortune came Ruth's way, She was assured of a place to stay.

So she said: "My daughter, barken to me, Shall 1 not seek rest and comfort for thee? Now is not Boaz one of our near kinWas it not his maidens with whom you've been?

Of his fondness for you there can be no doubt, And is it not true he Owns land all about? Behold, he winnoweth barley tonight On his own threshing floor by candle light.

For this is the end of the harvest, my dear, And the custom they follow .year after year Is to winnow the barley and wheat at night, If they find a time when the wind's blowing right.

Then when the cleaning process is o'er Each one helps clear the threshing floor, Where Boaz will have a banquet laid For his harvest hands, both man and maid. 

Now wash and anoint thyself with care, Then come thou and let me do thy hair. Adorned with that raiment of delicate hue That I've always thought so becoming to you, You will drape yourself with that .lovely veil And if I know men, you surely can't fail.

And it shall be, as the late hours grow, When the homemade sour wine ceases to flow, When the very last impromptu speech is made And the effect of fhe wine begins to fade, Then each one will rise, feeling overfed, And will seek some place to lay his head.

So shall it be, when he lieth down. Thou shall mark the place that he has found, And when you are sure he is fast asleep, Then go thou in and uncover his feet And lay thyself down in a quiet way, When he waketh, he'll have something to say."

(Viewing this scheme in the light of today, The court and the public, would possibly say That the purpose of instigating this plot Was to put this "land-owner" on the spot.

For with out modern ways and political mind, We pry off the lid, in our endeavor to find Some evidence that might be,hidden—there inside Which might discredit the motive implied.)

So Ruth stationed herself in a safe retreat. Avoiding the danger that she might meet, A maid and a harvest hand, reveling there; For her mission was strictly a private Affair

So patiently waiting, she stood about Till4he feast was over and candles out. She watched Boaz by the.light^of the moon As he made his bed, (while he whistled a tune) At the end of a pile of corn stored there, And his heart was merry (with never a care. But he knew the cure, when imbibing too deep, Was to seek his cot for plenty of sleep.

Biding her time, Ruth silently crept To the foot of the pallet where he slept. And then this beautiful story Delates How she lay at his feet and patiently waits And offers a prayer, that he will condone The fact, when he waketh, that he's not alone.

And it came to pass about the midnight hour, Boaz was disturbed as by some (magic power, And lie turned himself, and let his eyes meet The form of a woman there at his feet.

Then fear and anxiety him did assail, For lo, the woman was draped with a veil. And his voice slightly trembled when he said: "Who occupies the foot of my bed?" With some apprehension she answered: "I'm .Ruth, And are you not a near kinsman in truth?

Now fully awake with a mind that was clear, Her familiar voice seemed to banish |iis fear; For he said unto her in his natural voice; "Blessed be thou of the Lord. For thy choice Of companions since you came has not been, Whether rich or poor, with these younger men.

"Now fear not, my daughter, I know thy desire, And I'll do all the things thou dost require; For all of my people that here do dwell In this city of Bethlehem know quite well, That your acts of kindness and friendship true, Come-only from virtuous women like you.

"Nowr it is quite true, that kinsmen are we, But there is one that is nearer than me. So tarry this night, and it shall be, Come morning, this near kinsman I'll see.

"If he agrees to perform unto thee The part of a kinsman, so let it be. But if he refuse his duty to see, Then Til demand that his rights fall to me.

As the Lord liveth, I'm sure I can find A way to outwit this relative of mine. So, "Lie thee down until morning my dear And rest, for tomorrow will bring good cheer."

So she lay at his feet the re'st of the night, Then rose up early before it was light. And he said unto her: "Let it not be known , That a woman came into this floor alone."

(Just what Boaz could have had in his mind When he made this remark, we can not find. Whether protecting her reputation, Or to keep these facts from his relation, Who on this day he expected to find And present a scheme that he had in mind Which, if it worked in deed and in truth, Would give him the right to marry Ruth.).

Said Boaz: "Take off that veil that you wear And spread it out on the floor over there. You hold the corners, thus forming a bin While I pour six measures of barley in."

Then he tied the corners, making a sack, And helped adjust it on her back. And she left for home while yet it was night, With her heavy load. But her heart was light.

(We are sure she was anxious no one would meet Her along this night on this lonely street. And we have a right to presume as well That she pondered all that to her befell.

For it seems to us that she played a role Over which she had little or no control. She was seeking her rights under Jewish law, Through the guiding hand of her mother-in-law.

For Ruth, though a widow, was yet quite young, And the life she longed for had not yet begun, For her great desire and ambition in life, Was to be a mother, and not just a wife.)

Arriving home, she found her mother in bed, But anxious to know what was done and said. Ruth showed her the barley that Boaz sent, And related to her how the night was spent.

As Naomi listened, her eyes grew quite bright, And she seemed possessed with anjnward delight, For the splendid news that Ruth had to tell, Was proof that her plans were working quite well.

Now fearing that something might befall, She said unto Ruth: "There is no call that we should take any action at all, Until we see how this matter will fall.

We'll let Boaz handle this just as he may. Being an elder himself, mark what I say: "This man will not tarry nor rest by the way Until he has finished this matter today." Come morning, Boaz went up to the city's gate, And sat himself down to patiently wait For this kinsman, who should be passing this way, To whom he had something important to say.

And so he arrived for his morning's ride, Said Boaz: "Ho! Such a one, turn aside, For with thee I have business. Sit thee down While I gather the elders of the town."

Now Josephus says, "About noon that date, Boaz went up to the City's gate And called the senate into session, Then sent for Ruth and this close relation."

He said to this kinsman: "I understand That you have control of a plot of land Which belonged to Elimelech. And you know That he died in Moab some years ago. "And now Naomi, that has come again From this Moab country where she's been, Where she of husband and sons were dereft, Now desires to sell this land that was left.

"And methought that since you are first of kin, I'd invite these elderly senators in To witness the offer that you might make To redeem this parcel of real estate

"If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: See! If'thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, For there's none to buy it save thee and me, And I being next, come after thee."

Then the kinsman spoke from the witness stand: "It's true that I have this parcel of land, But I've done no wrong that I can see, For under the law it fell to me."

"But if Naomi wishes to sell, I'll buy the land and pay her well." Said Boaz: "There's more I have to say: You can't comply with the law half way.

"It's all or it's nothing. So hear the truth, If you buy Naomi's, you must buy Ruth. For it was the son of Naomi she wed, But now she's a widow, a wife of the dead-

"On this inheritance, under our creed, We are duty bound to continue his seed By raising up sons who will bear his name, Peradventure to honor, mayhap to fame."

The kinsman replied: "The thing is well said, And I recognize the rights of the dead; But I can't see my way to redeem the two, Lest 1 mar mine own inheritance too." 

Now in Israel there prevailed in that day A custom relating to trades; as by way Of plucking off the shoe that they wear And giving his neighbor, which then and there Is accepted evidence of a trade, And confirms to all that a trade was made.

Words again of "Josephus," we bring to the screen, Who relates, how Boaz called Ruth to this scene, And told her to loose this near kinsman's shoe And spit in his face, as was her right to do. Then he adds, that she did so, as everyone saw, For this was her privilege, under the law.

We've a right to assume, though it's only implied, That Boaz was a man of considerable pride. With strong emotions, which he kept concealed, And onlv on rare occasions revealed.

So we presume when he closed this deal And turned to the senate with this appeal, His zeal and emotions were hard to control; For he'd won his suit with a stroke quite bold; And he knew 'twas an epochal day in his life, Which had brought him victory and won him a wife.

He earnestly pled with the elders at hand, To witness, that legally he'd bought this land Together with Ruth, former wife of Mahlon, Whom he publicly purchased to be his own.

And then to elucidate further, he said: "This union will raise up the name of the dead, That he be not cut off from among his race, Nor from the portals or gate of his place.

Then came there an eager and hearty reply From the elders and crowd that stood nearby Saying: "We are your witnesses, and we pray That the Lord God of Israel leads the way.

"For the woman that comes to thy home to dwell; That she build you a house in Israel Such as Rachel and Leah did as of yore, And make thy name famous for ever more."

So Boaz took Ruth, whose heart he'd won, And within the year, there came a son To bless the lives of this famous pair, As if in answer to the elders praye

(I wonder sometimes, if the women today, Like the women of old, ever hope and pray That the child they bear will grow up to be A champion of Christian Liberty?

The neighborhood women, all came in That they might view Naomi's new kin. And they offered up prayers that her kinsman's name Would find a place in the annals of Israel's fam

And they said to Naomi: "This child shall be A restorer of life and comfort to thee. For Ruth's love for thee is unsurpassed, By any in our historic past."

Then the women proposed they give him a name, And since he was destined to be one of fame They called him Obed, "One who serves another.' And Proud Naomi shall act as his mother. For Naomi who was elated with joy Had elected herself as nurse for the boy.

Under this loving motherly care Of Naomi and this historic pair, Obed grew to manhood and then on to fame, When he gave them that patriarch Jesse by name.

And Jesse in turn gave them David the King, Who won his spurs with a pebble and sling On the battlefield, in the valley Elah, And his beautiful psalms, are sung to this day.

So we close this beautiful story of Ruth, Whose love and devotion to virtue and truth, Brought her that great desire of her life, That she might be a mother, and not just a wife.