Ruth and Boaz - Royal Parents

The book of Ruth depicts the life of King David's great-grandmother, a Moabitess (non-Israelite) who marries the Israelite son of Naomi.  When both of their husbands die, Ruth vows not to leave Naomi, stating: "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me." Her faithfulness both to her mother-in-law and to the Lord are shown to be sure.  The Lord truly blessed her and he descendents after her for her faithfulness.

The Lord had prepared a righteous man as a near kinsman who would later marry her.  The scriptures depict Boaz' righteousness when Ruth, asking to glean in the field behind his servants, is treated very kindly and given special priviledge.  When she asks Boaz why he is so kind to her, he replies: "It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother-in-law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust." He saw true faith in her and was willing to accept her into the covenant even over others of his servants.

Under Naomi's direction Ruth informs him that he is a near kinsman and proposes marriage to which he willingly accepts, provided that the nearest kinsman is in favor.  After Boaz shows his strict obedience to the Lord's statutes by first contacting the nearest kinsman, Ruth and Boaz get married.  From Boaz and Ruth comes Obed, who fathers Jesse, who fathers Israel's King David, who was also the father of the wise King Solomon.

About one thousand years later another young handmaid, who was a direct descendant of David and thus of Boaz and Ruth, is visited by an angel who tells her: "Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." She simply replied, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."

Thus was announced the birth of our Savior, quietly, to a young woman whose faith was like her ancient mother's faith, sure and certain.  Following this angelic visit, the birht was also announced, quietly, to a young man who would help the young woman raise her heavenly son in obedience just like his ancient father Boaz, for he was also a direct descendant of David.