How does Ruth 4:17 connect to the lineage of King David and Jesus?

Ruth 4:17: “The neighbor women said, ‘A son has been born to Naomi,’ and they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.”

Genealogical bridge

- Obed’s birth fulfills the kinsman-redeemer purpose of Boaz and Ruth, restoring Naomi’s family line.

- Obed becomes the direct link to Jesse, placing Ruth—a Moabite convert—inside Israel’s royal ancestry.

- Jesse fathers David (1 Samuel 16:1, 11-13), grounding David’s kingship in God’s covenant faithfulness.

Davidic covenant connection

- God later promises David an everlasting throne (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

- Because Ruth 4:17 names Obed and Jesse, it shows how the covenant line traces back through Boaz and Ruth, confirming the reliability of every step.

Pathway to Messiah

Matthew 1:5-6: “Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.”

Luke 3:32 echoes the same sequence.

- Both Gospels rely on Ruth 4:17 as an anchor point for Jesus’ legal genealogy through Joseph.

- The verse guarantees that Jesus stands in David’s line, fulfilling prophecies such as Isaiah 11:1 (“A shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse”) and Jeremiah 23:5-6.

Grace on display

- Ruth’s inclusion highlights God’s redemptive plan reaching beyond Israel; this anticipates the global scope of Jesus’ salvation (Ephesians 2:11-13).

- Every step from Obed to Jesus showcases God’s sovereign orchestration, confirming that Scripture’s historical details are precise and purposeful.

Key takeaways

• Ruth 4:17 is the hinge linking the book’s family story to Israel’s royal history.

• By naming Obed, Jesse, and David, the verse secures the legal and prophetic line leading to Christ.

• The accuracy of this lineage undergirds trust in the promises attached to David’s throne and their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus the Messiah.