Ruth 1:11
And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
About ten years before, famine drove Elimelech with his wife Naomi and their two sons from Bethlehem to abide in Moab. There the sons married Moabitish women, Orpah and Ruth. Then Elimelech died and both sons, Mahlon and Chilion, died also.
When Naomi heard that conditions in Bethlehem were prosperous again, she determined to return to her former home and started back. Both widowed daughters-in-law proposed to accompany her. The verse records her urging Orpah and Ruth to turn back and remain with their own people and kindred in Moab rather than go with her to Bethlehem. Ruth went back with Naomi.
She argued that she had no more sons in her womb to become their husbands and was too old to marry again. She therefore offered them no prospect of husbands or material advantage in Israel. She presented returning to Moab as being every way to their earthly advantage. Her explanation means she had no sons who could marry them and preserve the family inheritance, for she was old and poor and without a son to hold the inheritance, so it appeared it must be sold and the family name would perish. Yet Ruth's choice to accompany her brought a last ray of hope, because Naomi still had kinsmen in Bethlehem.
Her appeal reflected her concern that they understand the hardship and cost of accompanying her. It also expressed her grief for their sakes, because the hand of the Lord had gone out against her. The invitation to turn back was a test of fidelity, proving whether they were steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord, even when invited to leave as Elisha was invited by Elijah to tarry.
Orpah withstood for a time with tears but then kissed Naomi and went back to her people and to her gods. In contrast to Ruth's steadfast refusal to leave, her connection with the people of God ceased forever and her name is mentioned no more. Ruth would not turn back even when entreated, but clave to Naomi, her people and her God unto death. For that steadfast heart she was honored with a place in the chief family in Israel, became one of the ancestors of Jesus Christ, had her history preserved in the Bible as a precious legacy, and has her name in the Lamb's book of life. Only those whose hearts are steadfast like Ruth are accepted.
The verse belongs to a book that portrays simple home life among Israel. It shows God's care for the line leading to Christ through Ruth, one of His ancestors. In that book the near kinsman is a type of Christ.