<P> In the Talmud, some rabbis identify Boaz with the judge Ibzan of Bethlehem . "I.e., Bethlehem in Zebulun"; cf . Joshua 19: 15 . Let it be taken into consideration, however, that Boaz "of Ruth" was from Judah, whereas the two chieftains immediately ulterior to Ibzan were from Zebulun . A legend is given that he lost all his sixty children during his lifetime because he did not invite Manoah, Samson's father, to any of the marriage festivities at his house . Since Manoah was at that time without children, Boaz thought that he did not need to consider on such occasions a childless man who could not pay him back in kind (Bava Batra 91a). </P> <P> The Talmud tells that Boaz was a just, pious, and learned judge . The custom of using the Divine Name in greeting one's fellow - man (Rt - 2.4) formulated by him and his bet din ("court (of) law") received the approval of even the heavenly bet din (Babylonian Talmud Makkot 23b; Yerushalmi Talmud Ber . ix . 14c; Midrash Ruth Rabbah to ii. 4). </P> <P> The midrash Ruth Rabbah states that being a pious man, Boaz on his first meeting with Ruth perceived her conscientiousness in picking up the grain, as she strictly observed the rules prescribed by the Law . This, as well as her grace and her chaste conduct during work, induced Boaz to inquire about the stranger, although he was not in the habit of inquiring after women (Ruth Rabba to ii. 5; Talmudic tractate Shabbat 113b). </P> <P> In the conversation that followed between Boaz and Ruth, the pious proselyte said that, being a Moabite, she was excluded from association with the community of God (Deuteronomy 23: 4). Boaz, however, replied that the prohibition in the Scripture applied only to the men of Moab--and not to the women . He furthermore told her that he had heard from the prophets that she was destined to become the ancestress of kings and prophets; and he blessed her with the words: "May God, who rewards the pious, also reward you" (Targum Ruth ii. 10, 11; Pesiḳ, ed . Buber, xvi . 124a). Boaz was especially friendly toward the poor stranger during the meal, when he indicated to her by various symbolic courtesies that she would become the ancestress of the Davidic royal house, including the Messiah (Ruth R. to ii. 14; Shab . 113b). As toward Ruth, Boaz had also been kind toward his kinsmen, Naomi's sons, on hearing of their death, taking care that they had an honorable burial (Ruth Rabba to 2.20). </P>

Who was ruth's first husband before boaz in the bible