15 She said, “Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people, and to her god. Follow your sister-in-law.” 16 Ruth said, “Don’t entreat me to leave you, and to return from following after you, for where you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God; 17 where you die, will I die, and there will I be buried. Yahweh do so to me, and more also, if anything but death part you and me.” 18 When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, she left off speaking to her.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ruth 1:15-18

Commentary on Ruth 1:15-18

(Read Ruth 1:15-18)

See Ruth's resolution, and her good affection to Naomi. Orpah was loth to part from her; yet she did not love her well enough to leave Moab for her sake. Thus, many have a value and affection for Christ, yet come short of salvation by him, because they will not forsake other things for him. They love him, yet leave him, because they do not love him enough, but love other things better. Ruth is an example of the grace of God, inclining the soul to choose the better part. Naomi could desire no more than the solemn declaration Ruth made. See the power of resolution; it silences temptation. Those that go in religious ways without a stedfast mind, stand like a door half open, which invites a thief; but resolution shuts and bolts the door, resists the devil and forces him to flee.