A long time ago, in the days of the judges of Israel, there was a famine in the land of Canaan, and a man named Elimelech, whose home was in Bethlehem, went with his wife Naomi and his two sons to live in Moab.

In the verse preceding, Boaz says, "I have bought all that was Elimelech's * * * of the hand of Naomi."

In the verse preceding, Boaz says, "I have bought all that was Elimelech's * * * of the hand of Naomi."

Elimelech, with his wife and two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, left Bethlehem-Judah in consequence of a severe famine, and removed to Moab.

While in Moab, both his sons married Moabitish women; and, in process of time, Elimelech and his sons all three died, leaving their respective widows destitute.

During the absence of the family, the parcel of land which had been possessed by Elimelech had passed into the hands of strangers.

He sat at the gate until the other kinsman he had spoken of came by, and Boaz said to him, "Naomi selleth the parcel of land which was our brother Elimelech's.