Brief Summary: After the harvest had finished, at Naomi’s request, Ruth dresses up, puts on perfume, and goes to the threshing floor. Ruth waits until Boaz falls asleep and then quietly lies down by his feet. When Boaz awakes Ruth asks him “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.” In other words, she expresses her desire to marry him according to the custom of the kinsman-redeemer. But Boaz tells her that another man has a prior claim. He commands her to lay down at his feet until morning, when he will go to solve this matter.
What, if anything, surprises you?
It was surprising that Naomi sent Ruth to Boaz, even though there was some nearer kinsman-redeemer. Probably, Naomi did not know or heard about him the time they were already in Bethlehem. However, Ruth does not rebuke Naomi and obeys her words; she goes to Boaz even though she might be rejected. It is also surprising how Boaz answers so quickly to her, as if he already was thinking about asking her for marriage.
