There was another man in Bethlehem who had more of a claim to Ruth than did Boaz. (Deuteronomy 25: 5-6) This man, however, didn't seem interested in claiming that right.

During the time Ruth had worked in his fields Boaz had come to deeply respect and perhaps even love the young Moabitess. When she came to him asking him if he wouldn't perform his duty as a near kinsman and marry her, he must have been very happy. However, there was a problem. Someone else had a greater claim to Ruth than he did.

Boaz was not only wealthy, he was also wise. Early in the morning he went to the city's gate and sat down and waited. When the man he had been waiting for came by he hailed him, "Hello! Come over here and sit by me."

As the man came over to him Boaz called ten men from the elders over to them and said to them, "Sit down here with us." And they sat down.

Boaz said to his kinsman, "Naomi, who has returned from Moab, is selling the piece of land which belonged to our relative Elimelech. If you wish to buy it, say so in the presence of these men. If you don't wish to buy it, I will purchase it as next in line."

"I will buy the land," the man said.

This is what Boaz thought the man would say, "When you buy it," he said, "you must also take Ruth as your wife and maintain the name of her dead husband." This meant that the first male child they had would be considered the dead man's, and would keep his family line alive. This was a problem for the near of kin.

"I can't do that," he said. "For it would endanger my own family's estate. Redeem it yourself, for I can not."

This is what Boaz had been hoping the man would say.

As was the custom when someone refused to carry out his obligations, the man took off his shoe and handed it to the man next in line after him, who, in this case, was Boaz.

Boaz told the elders and all the people who were watching, "Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of her husband Elimelech, and her two sons, Chilion and Mahlon. I have also taken Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon's widow, as my wife in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his people."

The elders and all the people there said, "We are witnessess. May the Lord make Ruth as Rachel and Leah, who mothered the house of Israel."

So Boaz and Ruth became husband and wife. And the Lord caused her to conceive and she had a son.

The women of the city said to Naomi, "Praise be to the Lord. May the child become famous throughout Israel! He will give you new life and take care of you in your old age. For Ruth, who loves you is better than seven sons. As the child's mother she will raise him to love and respect you."

Naomi took the child into her arms and cared for him. The women of the city said, "Naomi has a son," and they named him Obed. Obed grew into a man and became the father of Jesse, who became the father of David, the king of Israel, from whose line Jesus Christ was born.