The book of Ruth is a tale of charm and delight. Goethe called it the 'loveliest complete work on a small scale, handed down to us as an ethical treasure and an idyll'. Another writes, 'No poet in the world has written a more beautiful short story.'

The books tells us about very ordinary people facing very ordinary events. We meet Naomi, who underwent hardship in famine and bereavement but eventually won peace and security. We meet Ruth, a young foreign woman from Moab who attached herself to her mother-in-law, Naomi and to Naomi's God. And we meet Boaz, who by marrying Ruth fitted into God's purposes for history. Both King David and Jesus are numbered among their descendants.

Theologically, the story of Ruth is a story about God's providence. This David Atkinson demonstrates clearly in his passage-by-passage exposition.

View all commentaries in this series.

• View other titles by David Atkinson