<Li> Scene 2: A son is born to Ruth (4: 13--17) </Li> <P> Genealogical appendix (4: 18--22) </P> <P> During the time of the Judges when there was a famine, an Israelite family from Bethlehem--Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their sons Mahlon and Chilion--emigrated to the nearby country of Moab . Elimelech died, and the sons married two Moabite women: Mahlon married Ruth and Chilion married Orpah . </P> <P> After about ten years, the two sons of Naomi also died in Moab (1: 4). Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem . She told her daughters - in - law to return to their own mothers and remarry . Orpah reluctantly left; however, Ruth said, "Intreat me not to leave thee, (or) to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people (shall be) my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, (if aught) but death part thee and me ." (Ruth 1: 16--17 KJV) </P>

When does the book of ruth take place