It also locates the events of chapter 1 verses 1-18 as occurring in Moab. Moab was about 50 miles from Bethlehem on the opposite side of the Dead Sea. Elimelech took his two sons and his wife Naomi to this region to escape a famine in Israel. Famine was one of the methods of judgment God used in Old Testament times to punish Israel when they sinned and served other gods. (See II Kings 8:1, Jeremiah 16:3-13; and Ezekiel 5:11-17).
Ang kagutom ay isa sa mga paraan ng paghatol na ginagamit ng Dios sa Lumang Tipan upang parusahan ang Israel kapag sila y nagkasala at naglingkod sa ibang diyos-diyosan. (Tingnan ang II Mga Hari 8:1; Jeremias 16: 3-13; at Ezekiel 5: 11-17).