Michal, Abigail and Bathsheba

Michal, Abigail and Bathsheba

Scripture References: (Michal) 1 Samuel 14:19; 18:20-28; 19:11-17; 25:44; 2 Samuel 3:13, 14; 6:16-23; 21:8; 1 Chronicles 15:29; (Abigail) 1 Samuel 25:1-42; 2 Samuel 3:3; (Bathsheba) 2 Samuel 11:2-3; 12:24; 1 Kings 1:11-31; 2:13-19; 1 Chronicles 3:5

Michal: Woman of Appearances

Read 1 Samuel 18:10-30; 19:11-17; 2 Samuel 3:13-16; 6:12-23

Michal was the younger daughter of Saul.

Michal was David’s first wife.

Her name means “who is like God”

Saul was jealous of David and feared him because God was with him and was prospering all of his ways. He worked out a plan to have David marry his oldest daughter Merab so that the hand of the Philistines would be against him. However, David, did not feel worthy of such an offer.

Saul schemed up another plan after hearing that his daughter Michal loved David. David again didn’t feel worthy of such an offer and Saul presented a challenge that he hoped would bring David to death at the hand of the Philistines. God was with David and gave him victory and he won Michal as his wife.

Michal loved the idea of being married to David more than the reality of it.

David is described in the Bible as “ruddy, with a handsome appearance” (1 Samuel 17:42)

Michal cared for David enough to warn him to flee but she never obeyed Genesis 2:24 which tells us God’s intention in marriage is to “leave and cleave.” She didn’t leave her father Saul and cling to David, instead she left David and even lied about David’s character (1 Samuel 19:17) and added to the false accusations against him.

Michal was a woman who feared man more than she feared God. Her fear of man was a worldly characteristic that lead her to stay with Saul rather than her husband and even be given to another man instead of remain faithful to David.

Michal missed out on the opportunity to embrace the call of being the wife of a man after God’s own heart. It seems she only wanted the easy way out.

2 Samuel 6:16 –In this area of scripture we get to see what is going on in Michal’s heart.

2 Samuel 6:20 - This verse reveals the overflow of her heart through her words.

Luke 6:45 NASB “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.”

Here we see Michal’s love for appearance override her respect and submission to David, not only her husband but the King of Israel. Her influence was barren and her life bore no fruit physically nor spiritually. She worshipped at the altar of appearances and no depth of life or character became of her.

She became a woman who missed great opportunity! What opportunities is God placing before you? Are you praying through them and obtaining them or missing out?

Abigail: Woman of Discretion

Read 1 Samuel 25:1-42

Abigail was the wife of Nabal. She was “beauty” and he was “the beast”

Abigail means “cause of joy”

Nabal means “fool”

Proverbs 21:15 NKJV “It is a joy for the just to do justice, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.”

Abigail is not only known for her beauty but for her intelligence. She is known as “the woman with brains and beauty.”

The Situation
“David leads his band of nomads to the wilderness of Paran, where they hope to scratch out a living by policing the area for the local ranchers. Although no contracts are signed -a custom of the day -they work hard protecting the herds of sheep from thieves and wild animals. At shearing time, the rich ranchers gather the herds to shave off their profits. Customarily, it is also the time when the owners remunerate the volunteer police for their services. Only a tightfisted miser would refuse to pay.” –Charles Swindoll

In verse 14 we notice Abigail was relational. She had good communication skills and was connected with the men who served her husband so she was able to receive an interceding message.

Proverbs 31:27 NASB “She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.”

A simple way to make good connections with others is to be approachable. What characterizes a woman who is approachable?

In verse 22 we notice she is wise as she thinks through was she needs to do in order to intercede successfully. She also exhibits action. Her wisdom moves her to take risks.

Proverbs 28:1 NASB “The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”

Abigail was a woman who didn’t allow her threatening circumstances to define her. Instead, she defined her threatening circumstances.

Verse 23 -Abigail approaches David with humility and knows her place. She refers to herself as “your maidservant” 6 times and refers to him as “my lord” 14 times.

Abigail came to David with a refined fire. An ungodly fire and zeal is born out of the flesh. A godly fire and zeal shows itself in peaceful characteristics.

James 3:13-18 NKJV “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”

Abigail personifies this!

In verse 28 we see her godliness and knowledge of the Holy One.

1 Timothy 4:8 NKJV “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”

In verse 29 we see her instill courage into David by reminding him of God’s deliverance of Goliath in the past! How wise! She reminded him of God’s faithfulness in the past and spoke over him of God’s faithfulness to his future.

A truly powerful woman is one who has control over her spirit.

Proverbs 25:28 NKJV “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.”

In both cases of Michal and Abigail, BOTH women spoke out of the overflow of what was going on in their hearts.

In verse 32, David acknowledges God’s hand in her actions and how God used it to prevent him from causing more bloodshed.

In verse 36 we see Abigail’s sensitivity to timing. Her communication skills were exemplary because she had the characteristic of patience.

Verse 39 -GOD takes care of the situation and David takes Abigail as his wife.

Bathsheba: Woman of Display

Read 2 Samuel 11:1-11

Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah, the most loyal of David’s men.

Bathsheba means “daughter of an oath”

She came from a God-fearing family and was the daughter of Eliam who was the son of Ahithophel.

Abigail was a woman of beauty and brains but Bathsheba was a woman with beauty who lacked the “brains”.

This incident with Bathsheba stained David’s character for the rest of his days.

1 Kings 15:5 NKJV “because David did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.”

Bathsheba put herself in a position to be violated.

“Although David was to confess that his foul sin was his, and his alone, one wonders how far Bathsheba was the accomplice in such a sin, as well as its provocation. Had she been a careful, modest woman, surely she would have looked around the easily seen adjacent roofs, and if others had been looking, she would have been more appropriately modest in bathing herself. Further, when sent for David, had she been a true wife and a woman of principle she should have refused to obey the king’s summons.” -Herbert Lockyer

In contrast to Abigail who trusted God with the outcome of her marriage, Bathsheba took matters into her own hands. She used this as an opportunity to seduce rather than an opportunity to submit to God and her husband.

Godly men respect women who are a source of godliness in their life, not temptation.

1 Timothy 2:9a NKJV “in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation”

Bathsheba did however seem to learn from her mistakes and became the mother of Solomon. God gave her another chance and David’s confession of the whole incident is recorded in Psalm 51.

Life Lessons:

GOD GIVES US “TAYLOR MADE” TRIALS!

Michal - Trials make us bitter or better.

Abigail - You can choose to have a victim or victor mentality in your circumstances.

Bathsheba - Let pressing situations cause you to encourage rather than entice others.


Discussion Questions:

1. In what ways, like Michal, are women today more concerned with the appearance of things?
2. What stands out to most about Abigail and how does it affect you personally?
3. In what ways are we living in a “Bathsheba” culture and how can we be women of modesty and discretion?

Hannah

— Hannah and Peninnah –

Scripture References: 1 Samuel 1-2

Her Situation:

Read 1 Samuel 1:1-8

Hannah’s husband was Elkanah.

Elkanah had two wives.

Elkanah was of the tribe of Levi.

Hannah means “gracious, graciousness, or favor”

Peninnah means “coral”

Elkana’s sin of polygamy brought pain and friction into his home.

Polygomy was common in the pagan cultures and among the people of God “every man did that which was right i the sight of his own eyes.”  Judges 17:6

It is probable that Hannah was his first wife and because she was barren he took another wife to bear him children.

God’s design for marriage is for one man and for one woman. Genesis 2:24 NASB “For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.”

“Hannah is one of the few women in the sacred Scriptures about whom nothing negative is reported.” -Elizabeth George

Hannah was the mother of Samuel. She also bore three other sons and two daughters (1 Samuel 2:21).

In verse 3 we see Elkanah’s faithful dedication by making the yearly trip to Shiloh to keep the feast. He was leading his family in the ways of God. Unfortunately, the sin of two wives brought disorder and unrest.

(v. 5) We see Elkanah show more love to Hannah, however, this did not take away her pain of barrenness.

The word for “love” in the Hebrew is “ahab” and it means “to have affection for, to like”

Peninnah added to Hannah’s grief by provoking her with cruel words. This was because Peninnah was jealous.

When people are jealous of you it is often shown in anger. They will come at you with a anger meant to provoke.

Proverbs 21:19 NKJV “Better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman.”

Proverbs 29:22 NKJV “An angry man stirs up strife, and a furious man abounds in transgression.”

Proverbs 13:40 NKJV “A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones.”

Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.

Read Galatians 5:19-26.

As Christian women we need to beware of these things in our hearts and not be deceived by them. We need to rejoice with our sisters in Christ and with what God is doing in their lives.

“Jealousy, ‘the green-eyed monster that mocks the meat it feeds on,’ had taken possession of Peninnah, but not of Hannah.” -Herbert Lockyer

(Self Reflection) When are you at times a “Peninnah”? Do you have a Peninnah in your life?

“From Peninnah’s harsh treatment of Hannah we discover how a thoughtless, unloving word of ours can give sorrow to others. How necessary it is to guard our tongues! (James 3: 9,10).

(v.6) The word for “provoke” is “ka as” in the Hebrew. “A verb meaning to be angry, to provoke to anger. The causative sense of the verb occurs most often and frequently signifies idolatry provoking God to anger.” -The Complete Word Study Dictionary

Jealousy also stems from idolatry. Meaning, God is not enough in your life. You want more here on earth. Beware of demanding to the Lord that He meet the idolatrous craving in your life.

A key to overcoming jealousy and covetousness is surrender.

Luke 9:24 NASB “For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.”

(v. 7) You see it happening “in the church.” Like Hannah, we all have areas of barrenness in our lives. We are not to point out areas of barrenness in others.

God allows us to go through day-to-day difficulties so we would be reliant upon Him.

Hebrews 3:13 NASB “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

“encourage” in the Greek is “parakaleo” and means “to call near, invite, invoke”

We are called to “in-courage” others....to put courage in them!

(Self Reflection) What are your personal areas of “barrenness”?

Her Solution:

Read 1 Samuel 1:9-18

Nowhere in scripture do you see Hannah responding to Peninnah or lash out in anger. Hannah allowed the pressure of her problems to bring her to prayer.

Hannah had self-control with her mouth. Her first recorded words in scripture is her speaking in prayer.

(v. 10) “greatly distressed” literally means “bitter of soul” -What an example she is to us that her bitterness of soul expressed itself in prayer!

(v. 11) refer to the Nazarite Vow in Numbers 6:1-21

Like Hannah, we can pray this over our children, that they would be set apart for the purposes of God. We need to enter the battle in prayer over our children.

(v.12) She continued praying. Are you STILL praying for what is “bitterness of soul” in your life?

IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY PRAY. IF YOU KNOW WHAT TO SAY PRAY.

The Lord allows pressing in our lives so we can give birth to Samuels. Otherwise, we would simply go on our way.

(v. 14) Here we see the priest Eli making a wrong assumption. We need to learn not to be hasty in our conclusions and think the world is as we see it. We know very little about situations and people and we are not to make judgements like this. Let God be God!

Romans 4:14 NKJV “Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.”

(v. 15) Hannah calmly and respectfully responded to Eli’s wrong accusation of her. She is not the “high and mighty” type!

Romans 12:3a NASB “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think.”

Proverbs 15:28 NASB “The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.”

“I have poured out my soul”...the word for “poured” in the Hebrew is “shapak” and it means “to spill forth, gush out, pour, slip.”

Under certain circumstances we WILL, whether we want to or not, spill out. Let it be in prayer and not in hasty words!

GOD’S RULES FOR VIRTUOUS SPEECH: (taken from Elizabeth George)

1.     Speak with wisdom and kindness (Proverbs 31:26).

2.     Think before you speak (Proverbs 15:28).

3.     Learn to speak softly (Proverbs 15:1).

4.     Add sweetness to your speech (Proverbs 16:21).

5.     Be instructive when you speak (Proverbs 16:23).

6.     Err on the side of less (Proverbs 10:19).

(v. 18) Hannah believed God and was no longer sad even though she had yet to see change!

Hannah acted based on her vision of faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Her Devotion:

Read 1 Samuel 1:19-28

Samuel means “heard of God”

(v. 19) Here we see Hannah being a woman of worship.

Set aside time for personal worship and praise. There is power in singing songs to the Creator of the Universe.

(v. 20) Remember, God does things in due time. Be faithful with one day at a time! He will bring things about.

Hannah was a brave woman. She had bravery of heart.

Read 1 Samuel 2:18-21

God blessed Hannah with more children. Sometimes God doesn’t give us what we may want until we let go.

Life Lesson:

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Discussion Questions:

1.      Sarah, Rachel, and Rebekah were barren, just as Hannah had been. How did each of these women react to her trial?

2.      How did Eli err in his view of Hannah? What does that teach us?

3.      Describe Hannah’s character. How can Hannah’s story benefit us?

Ruth

—  Ruth  –

Scripture References: Deuteronomy 25:5-10; The Book of Ruth;  Matthew 1:5-6

Her Decision:

Read Ruth 1:1-18

(v. 8-15) Both of the daughters-in-law originally went. Orpah decided to go backwards. Ruth decided to go forwards.

Look over verses 16-18. What were the things that Ruth was determined about? How can you personally be determined by these same things in your walk with God?

“Ruth’s outstanding quality was a beauty of heart, a generosity of soul, a firm sense of duty, and a meekness which often goes hand in hand with decision.” -H. Morton

“Ruth proved to be a woman of decision. Though Naomi had said that she could offer her nothing a woman needs in Judah, Ruth firmly closed the door to her way of life, her family, and her gods and bravely faced a bleak and uncertain future by the side of her destitute mother-in-law.” -Frances Vander Velde

“She did not seek for self-pity neither did she manifest the bitterness that had gripped the heart of Naomi because of her sad lot. Amid the shadows Ruth maintained a poise and a serenity which even her mother-in-law must have coveted.” -Herbert Lockyer

John 14:27 NIV “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

We can go forward, like Ruth, into the unknown before us. We have the peace of God! He knows all things and through Him we can do all things (Philippians 4:13).

The story of Ruth is a story of God’s sovereignty.

God being “sovereign” means that He has supreme rank, power and authority over all things.

“The most comforting thing to a child of God is the sovereignty of God.” -Charles Spurgeon

Look at your life through the eyes of God’s sovereignty. Ask God to reveal to you ways He sovereignly has worked it out. By faith, look at the circumstances in your life and give an account for how God has been involved.

Psalm 103:19 NASB “The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.”

Our God is EL ELYON: God Most High

As believers we are to take our trials and circumstances and bring them to the Lord and allow Him to give us a positive and heavenly perspective on them. He will use these things to sanctify and purify us more into His image. Having this view we will make ourselves pliable to God for sanctification.

To “sanctify” means “to make holy, purify, consecrate”

Verses on sanctification:

Ephesians 1:4 NASB “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23 NASB “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

John 17:17 NASB “Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.”

2 Corinthians 7:1 NASB “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

1 Peter 1:14-16 NASB “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”

Ruth means “friendship”

In a woman like Ruth, you find a friend. What is your personal favorite quality in a friend and why?

Her Faith That Works:

Read Ruth chapter 2 and 3

(ch 2:1) Boaz means “Standing in Strength”

Boaz is a picture of our kinsman redeemer, Jesus Christ. Ruth is a picture of the Bride of Christ; hungry, poor and in need.

(ch 2:2) Ruth stepped out in faith.

Habakkuk 2:4b NASB “But the righteous will live by his faith.”

2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Faith and believing God is so important to Him! As women of God we should be interested in the things that He is interested in. Let this be our prayer.

“Ruth now became Naomi’s means of support. Each family usually had sufficient women to care for the complete needs of the household. There was no work for a woman outside of the home. The poor and the widow would have been destitute, indeed, if God had not provided for them (Lev. 19:9-10). To be a gleaner with the other poor was a humble task. Ruth was not afraid of work (Ruth 2:7) and gleaned from the break of day until the warm red sun left its last glow on the swaying barley and slowly dipped behind the low hills of Judah. “ -Frances Vander Velde

Ruth had a servant heart.

Ways to serve: (taken from Elizabeth George)

●      Service to others -Nurturing a servant’s heart beings with the decision to serve others -anyone and everyone. Jesus Himself models this heart attitude for us, for He “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28)

●      Service to your husband -God’s Word is clear: “Whatever you do [including serving your husband] so it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23).

●      Service to your children -As a familiar kitchen plaque reads, “Divine services rendered here three times a day!” It’s true that not only every meal prepared, but also every piece of clothing washed, every room tidied, every floor swept, every ride given is love in action.

●      Service to your church -Married or single, you can exercise your servant heart at your church. There are always meals to take to those in need, pew racks to stock, chairs to set up, and Sunday school classes to teach.

(v. 12) -Boaz recognized who Ruth trusted in when he said “May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.”

Boaz saw that by leaving Moab and taking the risk to go to Bethlehem among Jewish people with an old widow that she was walking by faith and trusting in the God of Israel.

“Being one who feared God, and one who cared for the poor, Boaz went among his reapers, spoke kindly to them and earned their benediction. Coming upon Ruth he was arrested by her staid and modest look. Although poorly clad there was dignity in her mien, a refinement giving her distinction, and Boaz is arrested by her beauty and personality. Making inquiries about her, Boaz learns of her sacrifice for Naomi, and of her conversion to the worship of Jehovah (2:6,7), and commands the reapers to purposefully drop extra sheaves for Ruth’s benefit. Boaz also bade Ruth to glean only in his field, and to stand fast by his female workers. He wanted to preserve her from coarse contact with men who might take advantage of such a poor woman, who was in his admiring eyes a superior one. She was not to eat with others but present herself at his feasts.” -Herbert Lockyer

(2:4) You see Boaz walking among everyone as Jesus “Emmanuel -God with us” walked among us, rich and poor alike.

(2:8) Just like Boaz didn’t want Ruth to wander off into another field, the Lord does not want us to wander away from Him where we can find ourselves in danger. His desire is that we stay among Him and His people.

(2:14) Ruth’s servant’s heart inspired Boaz to serve her! What a beautiful picture of honoring and serving one another. Boaz was a man who valued all people. The rich and the poor.

(2:15-16) Because she trusted in God, this man of God gave provision and protection to her.

BOAZ and RUTH

The ultimate CINDERELLA story!

“It’s not about finding the right man, but becoming the right woman.” -Jackie Kendall in Lady in Waiting

               This is heart of a godly woman!

(3:3) Like Ruth, spiritually speaking, as the Bride of Christ we are to wash ourselves with the water of the Word, be anointed with the Holy Spirit, and take of the garment of heaviness and put on the garment of praise.

(3:7) As Ruth laid at the feet of Boaz so are we to lay at the feet of Jesus.

(3:8) “There is nothing immodest or immoral about this. By her actions, Ruth was declaring to Boaz that she desired him to be a spiritual covering for her. ‘You are a near kinsman,’ said Ruth -’my redeemer, my goel, my only hope. Please cover me.’ Here’s the question: Would Boaz do it? Would this wealthy, strong individual stretch his robe to cover a Moabitish woman, a new kid on the block, the one who had no credibility, no credentials, nothing to offer him? What would he do?” -Jon Courson

Remember the mother of Boaz was Rahab.

(ch 3:11) “All the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.”

Ruth had a beautiful reputation! This is what captured the heart of Boaz. Character and virtue is beautiful and desirable to a man of God.

*Having a good reputation is a Biblical requirement for widows to be supported by the church. (1 Timothy 5:9-10)

Boaz called Ruth a “virtuous woman.” The Biblical portrait for a virtuous woman is found in Proverbs 31:10-31

Traits of a Proverbs 31 Woman:

verse 10       Noble                                                          verse 21                    Farsighted, looks ahead

verse 11       Trustworthy                                               verse 22     Crafty, creative, takes care of appearance

verse 12       Honors her husband                                 verse 23     Honors her husband publicly and by actions

verse 13       Hardworking                                              verse 24     Acquires skills                              

verse 14       Selective, makes wise choices                 verse 25     Fearless of the future, prepared

verse 15       Has a plan                                                  verse 26     Wise and speaks kindly

verse 16       Thrifty                                                         verse 27     Watchful, diligent homemaker

verse 17       Works willingly                                          verse 28     Praised by her family

verse 18       Makes profitable goods                           verse 29     Excels the mediocre

verse 19       Works hard                                                verse 30     She fears the Lord

verse 20       Generous                                                    verse 31     She earns reward and receives praise

The Law of Kinsman Redeemer

“A kinsman redeemer is a male relative who, according to various laws of the Pentateuch, had the privilege or responsibility to act on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, danger, or in need. The Hebrew term (go el) for kinsman redeemer designates one who delivers or rescues (Gen 48:16; Exodus 6:6) or redeems property or person (Leviticus 27:9-25; 25:47-55). The kinsman who redeems or vindicates a relative is illustrated most clearly in the book of Ruth, where the kinsman-redeemer is Boaz.” (Got Questions Ministries)

(3:14) Start off your day in the presence of Jesus!

Her Marriage:

Read Ruth 4:1-13: From rags to riches!

(4:1-4) The ten elders are a picture of the law. Which came before Jesus, our Redeemer.

Ruth, a Moabitess, picture of the church.  Boaz is a picture of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer.

We are washed with the Word and anointed with the Holy Spirit when we come to the feet of Jesus for redemption. We are redeemed as Jesus fulfilled the Law. Jesus spotted us first just like Boaz spotted Ruth and took note of her before she took note of him. We see the Holy Spirit working the whole thing out! Through the whole story there is unity and redemption for everyone.

Life Lesson:

Just as you came to Jesus at the foot of the cross to redeem you from all of your sin ...enter a marriage relationship with Him as His Bride. Ruth now had a daily relationship with her groom. Jesus has redeemed us at our initial salvation experience but His desire is to redeem us every single day!

Discussion Questions:

1.      What does the name Ruth mean? Compare it with the meaning of the word ruthless. Characterize Ruth.

2.      Was it love for God or for Naomi that determined Ruth’s choice?

3.      What are the main values shown in the book of Ruth?