Ruth 1:2

“And the name of the man was Elimelech, etc.] Which signifies “my God is King”, as he was King over Israel. In the times of the judges, the government was a theocracy; the judges were raised up immediately by the Lord, and ruled under him; the Targum calls him a great man, and so Jarchi; and it is very likely he was, especially if it be true what is said the Jewish chronology f10, that he was the brother of Salmon, prince of the tribe of Judah; and it is certain that Boaz the son of Salmon was a kinsman of his, (<080201>Ruth 2:1), and the name of his wife Naomi; which signifies “sweet, pleasant”, very likely a comely person, and of a sweet disposition; a name of the same signification with…”

“Elimelech--signifies "My God is king." Naomi--"fair or pleasant"; and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, are supposed to be the same as Joash and Saraph (Ch1 4:22). Ephrathites--The ancient name of Beth-lehem was Ephrath (Gen 35:19; Gen 48:7), which was continued after the occupation of the land by the Hebrews, even down to the time of the prophet Micah (Mic 5:2). Beth-lehem-judah--so called to distinguish it from a town of the same name in Zebulun. The family, compelled to emigrate to Moab through pressure of a famine, settled for several years in that country. After the death of their father, the two sons married Moabite women. This was a violation of the Mosaic law (Deu 7:3; Deu 23:3;…”

“Ephrathites - Bethlehem was otherwise called Ephratha. Naomi signifies my amiable or pleasant one: Mahlon and Chilon signify sickness and consumption. Probably they were sickly children, and not likely to be long - lived. Such are the products of our pleasant things, weak and infirm, fading and dying. Ruth 1:4”

“1:2 Ephrathites were from the clan of Ephrathah, centered in Bethlehem of Judah (see Gen 35:19; 1 Chr 4:4).”

“Elimelech: The Rabbins say, that Elimelech was the son of Salmon, who married Rahab; and that Naomi was his niece. Naomi: Rut 1:20 Mahlon: It is imagined, and not without probability, that Mahlon and Chilion are the same with Joash and Saraph, mentioned in Ch1 4:22. Ephrathites: Gen 35:19; Sa1 1:1, Sa1 17:21; Mic 5:2 continued: Heb. were Ruth 1:3”