St. Paul’s Adult Forum
Spring 2008
Women of the Bible
Ruth and Tamar - April 20
Ruth; 2 Samuel 13
Ruth and Naomi (Book of Ruth)
This story is set during the period of the judges. Note that Naomi is Israelite, but she has gone to the land of Moab with her family because of a drought (not an uncommon theme!). Ruth is a Moabite woman who marries one of Naomi’s sons.
Major themes in this book include: loyalty & friendship; acceptance of outsiders; generosity and gratitude. Find examples of each of these.
The major characters are Ruth, Naomi and Boaz.
 | What is each character like? |
| What is positive about each person? Are there any negatives? |
| How do the laws of Israel benefit the characters? |
Tamar (2 Samuel 13)
In the book of Ruth, all of the characters are likeable, and things unfold well for each of them. The story of Tamar is very different. Tamar’s rape is ignored by her father, and the revenge later exacted by her brother seems more about his own pride and honor than his sister’s.
| How does Tamar respond to Amnon after the rape? How does she try to reason with him? |
| How does Amnon change after the rape? |
| What do you think of Absalom’s revenge? of David’s response? |
| How is this story relevant today? |
For next week: Read the Book of Esther