Who was Obed in the Bible? 

Who Was Obed in the Bible?

Obed, in the Bible, is a significant yet often overlooked figure. He is most notably recognized as the son of Boaz and Ruth. His story is detailed in the Book of Ruth, where his birth is seen as a blessing and a symbol of God’s provision. Ruth, a Moabite woman and the widow of Mahlon, marries Boaz, a wealthy and kind landowner in Bethlehem, after a series of events that highlight loyalty, kindness, and divine providence. Obed’s birth is celebrated by the women of Bethlehem, who see him as a restorer of life and a sustainer in Ruth’s old age. Importantly, Obed becomes the father of Jesse, who is the father of David, making Obed an ancestor of King David and, according to the New Testament, part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ. This places Obed in the lineage that fulfills the Messianic prophecy, underscoring his critical role in biblical history.

The name Obed means “servant,” specifically a servant of God. This is an abbreviated form of Obadiah, which means “the servant [or worshiper] of Jehovah.” There are different persons by this name in the Bible, each contributing to the rich tapestry of biblical narratives.

Obed – The Son of Ruth

The most famous Obed was the son of Ruth, the converted Moabitess, and Boaz. Ruth was first married to an Israelite man who was sojourning with his father, Elimelech, and his mother, Naomi, in the land of Moab due to a famine in Judah. Unfortunately, Ruth’s husband, his brother, and father died in the land of Moab, leaving her with Naomi, her mother-in-law.

Naomi wanted to return to Israel from Moab and urged her two daughters-in-law to return to their own families. Orpah chose to return, but Ruth declared her loyalty to Naomi, saying, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16-17). After learning about the God of Israel, Ruth experienced a profound transformation. She preferred to live in the foreign land of Israel among its people who worshiped God rather than remain among her own people who worshiped heathen gods. Ruth was deeply impressed by the loving God of Naomi and felt an irresistible pull to Him.

Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest. They were very poor, prompting Ruth to seek permission to glean in the fields after the reapers. The owner of the land she gleaned from was Boaz, a relative of Elimelech. Upon learning of Ruth’s situation, Boaz instructed his workers to allow her to glean and to protect her. Grateful, Ruth asked:

“Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”

Ruth 2:10

Boaz responded that he was impressed with her kindness to Naomi (Ruth 2:11-12). Naomi soon learned that Boaz was a close relative who had the right to redeem Elimelech’s property, which may have been sold due to debt (Leviticus 25:24). He also had the right to marry Ruth to raise a seed for her deceased husband and manage the property. Naomi instructed Ruth to approach Boaz as a sign of acceptance of a marriage proposal.

Ruth obeyed Naomi, and Boaz was pleased. However, there was another relative who was closer than he. The next day, Boaz met with this relative in the presence of the town leaders and asked if he would redeem Naomi’s late husband’s land and marry Ruth. When the relative declined, Boaz publicly announced his intention to redeem the land and marry Ruth.

Ruth’s deep desire to be among God’s people was honored by Him in a remarkable way. Ruth and Boaz had a son named Obed, who became the grandfather of King David, from whose lineage came the Messiah (Matthew 1:5-6).

The Significance of Obed’s Birth

Obed’s birth is not just a personal milestone for Ruth and Boaz; it represents a pivotal moment in the history of Israel. The women of Bethlehem celebrated his arrival, recognizing him as a gift from God. They proclaimed, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel!” (Ruth 4:14). This acknowledgment emphasizes the importance of family and lineage in biblical culture, where descendants were seen as a continuation of God’s promises.

Moreover, Obed’s role as the grandfather of David links him to the royal lineage of Israel. This connection is crucial because it establishes the foundation for the Davidic covenant, where God promises David that his throne will be established forever (2 Samuel 7:16). Through Obed, we see how God orchestrates events to fulfill His divine plan, using ordinary people to achieve extraordinary purposes.

Obed-Edom

The name Obed-Edom appears in several passages, including 2 Samuel 6:10 and 1 Chronicles 15:18, 21; 26:4, 8, 15. 2 Samuel 6 recounts the story of King David’s desire to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. After Eli’s death, the ark was placed in the house of Abinadab for at least two or three generations (1 Samuel 4:15-18; 6:1; 7:1).

Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were responsible for the ark’s care. However, they failed to follow the divine instructions regarding its transfer. The Bible tells us that when the Ark reached Nachon’s threshing floor, “Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God” (2 Samuel 6:6,7).

King David was afraid of the Lord that day and chose not to move the ark into the City of David. Instead, he took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. This man was likely a member of the family specially appointed to bear the ark (Numbers 4:15; 7:9).

The presence of the ark in Obed-Edom’s home brought blessings rather than curses. He understood the seriousness of God’s holiness and the consequences of irreverence when the ark had been dishonored. Yet, despite this knowledge, he welcomed the ark into his home. His experience demonstrated that while God is holy, He need not be feared by those who are humble and obedient to Him.

When David saw that the house of Obed-Edom was blessed, he went and brought the ark of God from there to the City of David with gladness. He learned the importance of complete obedience to God’s requirements. The ark was no longer carried on a cart but was transported in accordance with God’s command, carried by Levites (1 Chronicles 15:2, 15).

Lesser Known Obeds

In addition to the well-known Obed, there are lesser-known figures named Obed mentioned in the Bible. These include Obed, a son of Ephlal (1 Chronicles 2:37-38), Obed, one of David’s mighty men (1 Chronicles 11:47), Obed, the father of Azariah (2 Chronicles 23:1), and Obed, son of Shemaiah, who was among the men of ability (1 Chronicles 26:7).

Each of these individuals, while not as prominent as Obed the son of Ruth, plays a role in the broader narrative of God’s people. Their stories remind us that every person has a part to play in God’s plan, regardless of how small their mention may be in the Scriptures.