Ruth 4:22

Analysis & Commentary

Genealogy concludes: 'And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David'. The genealogy's climax reveals the story's ultimate human significance—Ruth is David's great-grandmother. This explains why her story was preserved and honored. David's Moabite ancestry might have been controversial (Deuteronomy 23:3), but Ruth's faithful conversion and the genealogy's careful documentation established legitimacy. More profoundly, this genealogy ultimately leads to Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-16; Luke 3:23-38), making Ruth ancestress of Messiah. Her faithfulness contributed directly to redemptive history's culmination.

Historical Context

David's reign (c. 1010-970 BCE) established Israel's united monarchy, making Jerusalem its capital and preparing for temple construction. His significance in redemptive history as Israel's greatest king, author of many Psalms, and recipient of covenant promises about eternal dynasty (2 Samuel 7) makes his ancestry crucial. That his great-grandmother was Moabite convert demonstrates God's grace transcending ethnic boundaries and validates inclusion of Gentiles in covenant people. Matthew's genealogy explicitly names Ruth (Matthew 1:5), ensuring her memorial and theological significance. The Ruth-to-David connection ultimately points to David's greater Son, Jesus Christ, in whom Jew and Gentile become one body.

Questions for Reflection

• How does Ruth's position as David's ancestor and Christ's ancestress demonstrate that our faithfulness has eternal significance beyond our knowledge?
• What does the inclusion of Moabite Ruth in messianic line teach about the gospel's universal reach?