Read verses 1-2: We start out by being given some background information. First, we're told this story takes place during the time of the judges, like an addendum to the book of Judges.Next we're told that there is a famine in the land. More than likely this was a punishment from God for repeatedly sinning (Lev. 26:18-20). Then we start learning about the people in the book. Elimelech takes his wife, Naomi, and his sons, Mahlon and Chilion, to Moab. They leave to find food and provision which doesn't seem like a big deal but they are doing this instead of turning back to the Lord and trusting God to provide.
Read verse 3: Elimelech dies; we are given know details but it makes me wonder if this is more punishment from the Lord. In that day, blessings were tied to the land and having left the land could've brought more punishment.
Read verse 4: Our titular character now enters the scene... Mahlon and Chilion both marry Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah, respectively. They live in Moab for ten years. This is a much bigger deal than it seems. Israelites were given instructions to never marry foreigners, especially not Moabites and Ammonites (Deut. 23:3).
