The People
Ruth
The daughter-in-law of Naomi and Elimelech. Ruth came to know the God of Israel through Naomi. The older woman allowed Ruth to see, hear, and feel all the joy and anguish of her relationship to God.
Naomi
Naomi tragically loses her husband and two sons, leaving her with nothing. Naomi was willing to let Ruth return to her family. She even helped arrange Ruth's marriage to Boaz although it would change their relationship.
Boaz
Boaz was a hero. In his dealings with other people, he was always sensitive to their needs. His words to his employees, relatives, and others were colored with kindness. Boaz not only did what was right, he also did it right away.
"Go back, each of you, to your mother's home. May the Lord show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me. May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband."
Ruth 1:8 (NIV)
"Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."
Ruth 1:16-17 (NIV)