Ruth 4
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
The sun came up over the town. It was called Bethlehem. Boaz walked to the gate. That is where big people talked about big things.
Boaz sat down. He waited. And then, look, another man came by. Boaz called him. "Come, sit here." The man sat down.
Boaz also called seven other men. They came too. Now everyone sat in a big circle.
Boaz said something important. It was about Ruth. Ruth was a lady who had no husband anymore. And she had no house of her own.
Boaz asked the other man, "Do you want to help Ruth? Do you want to take care of her?"
The other man thought. He shook his head. "No," he said. "I cannot do that."
Then Boaz stood up. His voice was strong. "Then I will do it. I will take care of Ruth. Ruth will be my wife."
All the people cheered. They were so happy!
What Does This Mean?
Ruth had been alone for a long time. She had no husband. She was sad sometimes. But now she got Boaz. Boaz was good and kind.
And then, then something wonderful happened. Ruth got a baby! A little boy. So small. So sweet.
The ladies of the town came to look. They laughed. They said, "What a beautiful baby!" Grandma Naomi held the baby in her arms. She pressed him against her cheek. She was so glad.
The baby's name was Obed.
The Common Thread
Obed grew up. He got a son. That son also grew up. And that son got a son too. His name was David. Little David, who later became king.
And then, much, much later, from that same family, came another Baby. That Baby was Jesus.
Yes, really. Jesus came from Ruth's family. God had planned it all along. Long, long ago.
For You
God saw Ruth. He saw that she was alone. He gave her a husband. He gave her a baby. He gave her a home.
God sees you too. Always. When you are happy. When you are sad. When you sleep. When you play.
And do you know what is so wonderful? Through Ruth's family came Jesus. And Jesus came for you. To be your Friend forever.
Sometimes you have to wait for something good. Ruth waited a long time. But God did not forget her. God does not forget you either.
Talk About It
Have you ever waited a long time for something? What was it?
Who takes care of you, just like Boaz took care of Ruth?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank You for Ruth. Thank You for baby Obed. Thank You that Jesus came from Ruth's family. Thank You that You see me too. Please take care of me, like You took care of Ruth.
Amen.
Questions about Ruth 4
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Ruth 4 about?
What does Ruth 4 say?
What does Ruth 4 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Ruth 4?
Why is Ruth 4 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Boaz had told Ruth he would settle it, and by morning he is at the gate, sitting where business gets done. He doesn't chase the man down. He takes his place and waits, and the near kinsman "came by." Some waiting isn't passivity. It's sitting where God can meet you, trusting him to move the people you cannot.
Notice what Boaz buys: "all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's." Not the profitable parts. All of it, debts, graves, grief included. And he says their names out loud in front of the whole town. Redemption never pretends the loss didn't happen. It takes the loss into itself and calls it mine.
Boaz announces it in front of the whole town: he takes Ruth "to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance." The child would legally carry Mahlon's name, not his. He spends his money and his future on a man who can never thank him. And God wrote Boaz into Jesus' family line anyway. What you give away without credit, God remembers.
Naomi came back to Bethlehem saying, "Call me Mara," insisting she went out full and returned empty. Now the neighbor women say, "A son is born to Naomi." Not by her own body, but through Ruth's loyalty God fills her arms again. And that baby's grandson would be David. Some of what God restores to you comes through someone else's faithfulness, and reaches further than you will live to see.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
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