The King William County Courthouse in Virginia was built in 1725 and is considered the oldest courthouse in continuous use in the United States. Its architecture is beautiful, in classic colonial style.

In the time of Ruth and Boaz, cities also provided a place for judicial business. Many cities were surrounded by thick walls of fortification. The gates to these cities were complex structures with lookout towers and defensive stations. The gates also served as a gathering place and a center for business.

As soon as Ruth headed home on the morning after her visit, Boaz headed to the town gate (v. 1). He positioned himself in that strategic location, knowing he would likely find the other guardian there—and also understanding that any official legal matter should be settled in the court.

The Hebrew wording, translated in the NIV as “just as,” communicates surprise and calls attention to the providential timing of story events. It harkens back to Ruth 2:4 when Boaz arrived home from Bethlehem “just then.” God’s hidden hand was directing the narrative.

When Boaz saw the other guardian-redeemer, he called the man: “Come over here, my friend, and sit down” (v. 1). The Hebrew word translated as “my friend” actually means “so-and-so” or “such-and-such.” Surely, Boaz would have known the man’s name, so this is likely the author’s choice to obscure his identity. This creates a less-than-favorable impression of the other guardian in the mind of the audience, immediately establishing him as a foil for Boaz—just as Orpah was for Ruth. As the other guardian joined him, Boaz assembled the “ten elders of the town” (v. 2) to make sure the legal proceedings were legitimate and documented. He would take great care of each detail  

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