In chapter 2 of the Book of Ruth, we find the Moabitess deciding to go to the fields to glean the leftovers from the harvest to support herself and her mother-in-law, Naomi. They had both returned to Bethlehem impoverished after the deaths of their respective husbands in Moab.

As it happened, Ruth chose to glean in a field belonging to Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi's deceased husband, Elimelech. Boaz was a man of wealth and standing in the community. When he arrived at his field from Bethlehem, he noticed Ruth among the gleaners. Struck by her presence, Boaz inquired about her identity from his servant who was in charge of the reapers. The servant informed him that she was the Moabitess who had returned with Naomi from Moab. He detailed Ruth's request for permission to glean and noted her hard work, stating that she had been working steadily since morning except for a short rest in the shelter.

Boaz, impressed by Ruth's dedication and her loyalty to Naomi, approached Ruth and spoke kindly to her, offering her protection and permission to glean among his sheaves. He also instructed his workers to treat her well and even purposely leave extra grain for her to collect. This marked the beginning of a relationship that would lead to Boaz's role as Ruth's kinsman-redeemer, significantly shaping the course of their lives and connecting directly to the genealogy of King David and ultimately, to the lineage of Jesus Christ as recorded in the New Testament.