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Naomi's grief and Ruth's loyal oath.

In the days when the judges ruled, a famine struck Bethlehem. Elimelek took his wife Naomi and their two sons to live in Moab. But before long, Elimelek fell ill and died; years later, both sons also died, leaving Naomi and her two Moabite daughters‑in‑law, Orpah and Ruth, to lean on each other. When Naomi heard that the LORD had again visited Bethlehem, she decided to return. She urged the two young women to go back to their own families. Orpah said farewell with tears, but Ruth held Naomi tightly and said, “Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” Without hesitation she followed Naomi back to Bethlehem, just as the barley harvest was beginning.