BAASHA

(See also Chaotic Kingdom)

CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
    I. The perversions of Baasha.
A. He ruled for 24 years and was an evil king (1 Kgs 15:33–34). He was the third ruler of northern Israel.
B. He fortified a border outpost against Asa to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Judah (1 Kgs 15:16–17).
C. He was finally stopped by an alliance between Asa and Syria (1 Kgs 15:18–21).
D. He murdered Nadab, northern Israel’s second king, and then killed all of the royal family (1 Kgs 15:27, 29).
II. The prophecies against Baasha.
A. He was rebuked by the prophet Jehu, who warned Baasha that his house would suffer the same destruction he had wrought upon Nadab’s family (1 Kgs 16:1–5).
B. This was fulfilled in the days of Zimri (1 Kgs 16:11–13).
STATISTICS
    Father: Ahijah (1 Kgs 15:27)
Son: Elah (1 Kgs 16:6)
First mention: 1 Kings 15:16
Final mention: Jeremiah 41:9
Meaning of his name: “Boldness”
Referred to: 28 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Four books (1 Kings, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Jeremiah)
Occupation: King of northern Israel (1 Kgs 15:33)
Important fact about his life: He fortified a border outpost against King Asa (1 Kgs 15:17–21).
BALAAM
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
    I. The foolish prophet.
A. God’s warning.
1. Balaam was a Midianite prophet.
2. He resided at Pethor, a city of Mesopotamia (Num 22:5).
3. He was offered a bribe by Balak, king of Moab, to curse Israel (Num 22:4–8).
4. He refused the first bribe after being warned by God not to receive Balak’s money (Num 22:9–13).
5. However, after the second attempted bribe, he was allowed by the Lord to accompany Balak’s messengers to Moab (Num 22:14–20).
B. God’s wrath.
1. An unseen angel
a. En route he incurred the wrath of God and was nearly killed by the angel of the Lord, who stood in the pathway with a drawn sword (Num 22:21–28).
b. At first, only his donkey saw the angel and was beaten by Balaam when the frightened animal bolted from the path (Num 22:22–27).
An unusual animal.
a. The Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it protested the brutal treatment handed out by Balaam (Num 22:28–30).
b. Finally, Balaam saw the angel and was severely rebuked by him (Num 22:31–33).
c. Balaam acknowledged his sinfulness, but was commanded by God to continue the trip to Moab (Num 22:34–35).
II. The frustrated prophet.
A. The occasions.
Upon meeting Balak, the false prophet from Pethor attempted to pronounce a divine curse upon Israel on six separate occasions (Num 22:39–24:25; Deut 23:4–5; Mic 6:5). Each time, however, when he opened his mouth to utter bad things against Israel, God filled it with blessings instead (Num 22:39–24:25; Josh 24:9–10; Neh 13:2).
1. First blessing (Num 23:7–10).
2. Second blessing (Num 23:18–24).
3. Third blessing (Num 24:3–9).
4. Fourth blessing (Num 24:15–19).
5. Fifth blessing (Num 24:20).
6. Sixth blessing (Num 24:21–24).
B. The overview.
At least six key prophecies were uttered by Balaam during these futile attempts to curse Israel.
1. The aloofness of Israel (Num 23:9).
2. The population increase of Israel (Num 23:10).
3. The faithfulness and power of God enjoyed by Israel (Num 23:19–24).
4. The victories of Israel (Num 24:8–9).
5. The coming Messiah of Israel (Num 24:17–19).
6. The defeat of the enemies of Israel (Num 24:20–24).
III. The filthy prophet.
Unable to curse them, Balaam attempted with some success to corrupt them by encouraging sexual relations between Israelite men and Moabite women (Num 25:1–3; 31:16).
IV. The fallen prophet.
Balaam was eventually killed by the advancing Israelite armies (Num 31:8).
THEOLOGICAL SUMMARY
    I. Balaam’s spiritual condition.
Joshua said Balaam had practiced divination, i.e., the occult (Josh 13:22).
II. Balaam’s spiritual example.
Three New Testament authors referred to Balaam.
A. Peter spoke of “the way of Balaam” (2 Pet 2:15). He sold his gift to the highest bidder.
B. Jude spoke of “the error of Balaam” (Jude 1:11). Balaam falsely concluded God could be forced into condemning Israel because of the sins of that nation.
C. John spoke of the “doctrine of Balaam” (Rev 2:14). In essence, this says if you can’t condemn your enemy, then corrupt him.
STATISTICS
  Father: Beor (Num 22:5)
First mention: Numbers 22:5
Final mention: Revelation 2:14
Meaning of his name: “Pilgrim” or “lord of the people”
Referred to: 61 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Eight books (Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Nehemiah, Micah, 2 Peter, Jude, Revelation)
Occupation: Prophet turned soothsayer (Num 22–24; Josh 13:22)
Place of birth: Pethor (Num 22:5)
Circumstances of death: He was killed with the sword by the Israelites (Josh 13:22).
Important fact about his life: He attempted to curse Israel (Num 23–24).

BALAK
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
    I. His bribe.
Balak, the king of Moab, sent messengers on two occasions to bribe Balaam the prophet to put a curse on Israel during the Exodus march (Num 22:1–21).
A. His first attempt was unsuccessful (Num 22:7, 13).
B. His second attempt was successful (Num 22:15, 21).
II. His bitterness.
With growing frustration, Balak watched as Balaam attempted in vain to curse Israel. Each time the false prophet opened his mouth to blast Israel, God supernaturally caused him to bless instead.
A. The first attempt.
1. Balaam’s announcement (Num 23:8).
2. Balak’s anger (Num 23:11).
B. The second attempt.
1. Balaam’s announcement (Num 23:24).
2. Balak’s anger (Num 23:25).
C. The third attempt.
1. Balaam’s announcement (Num 24:5).
2. Balak’s anger (Num 24:10).
THEOLOGICAL SUMMARY
    I. Joshua mentioned Balak during his farewell address to Israel (Josh 24:9).
II. Jephthah warned an enemy Ammonite king against attacking Israel, reminding him what God did to Balak (Judg 11:25).
III. Micah reminded sinful Israel of God’s past faithfulness in dealing with Balak (Mic 6:3).
STATISTICS
  Father: Zippor (Num 22:2)
First mention: Numbers 22:2
Final mention: Micah 6:5
Meaning of his name: “Empty, void, waster”
Referred to: 42 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Four books (Numbers, Joshua, Judges, Micah)
Occupation: King of Moab (Num 22:4)
Important fact about his life: He hired Balaam to curse the nation of Israel (Num 22:5–6).

BARAK
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
    I. The command to Barak.
A. Barak was from the tribe of Naphtali, living in the city of Kedesh (Judg 4:6).
B. He was commanded by Deborah, an Israelite prophetess, to gather an army of 10,000 soldiers from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun and defeat the Canaanites, who had oppressed Israel for 20 years (Judg 4:3, 6).
II. The concern of Barak.
A. He agreed, but only under the condition that Deborah accompany him (Judg 4:8).
B. She concurred, but warned him that the credit for the victory would not be his, but rather would go to a woman (Judg 4:9).
III. The charge of Barak.
A. He gathered his 10,000 troops on Mount Tabor (Judg 4:12).
B. Sisera, the Canaanite military leader, assembled his army along with the 900 iron chariots he commanded (Judg 4:13).
C. At Deborah’s order, Barak’s troops ran down the mountain and totally routed the enemy (Judg 4:14–15).
D. The enemy was swept away by the river Kishon (Judg 5:21).
E. It was later indicated that angels helped give Barak the victory (Judg 5:20).
F. The fleeing Sisera was later killed by a woman named Jael, who thus received credit for the victory, as Deborah had predicted (Judg 4:16–22; 5:24–27).
IV. The celebration of Barak.
A. Barak and Deborah then composed and sang a victory song (Judg 5:1).
B. This victory brought peace to the land for the next 40 years (Judg 5:31).
C. Barak is mentioned in the New Testament “Hall of Faith” chapter (Heb 11:32).
STATISTICS
  Father: Abinoam (Judg 4:6)
First mention: Judges 4:6
Final mention: Hebrews 11:32
Meaning of his name: “Lightning”
Referred to: 14 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Two books (Judges, Hebrews)
Occupation: Military leader (Judg 4:1–16)
Important fact about his life: He defeated the Canaanites at the base of Mount Tabor (Judg 4:14–16).

BARUCH
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
    I. The transaction.
A. He was Jeremiah’s scribe (Jer 32:12–13, 16; 36:4).
B. He prepared the deed of purchase for a portion of land the imprisoned Jeremiah bought from his cousin Hanameel (Jer 32:8–16).
C. He was then ordered to put the deed in a clay jar (Jer 32:14).
II. The transmission.
At Jeremiah’s command, Baruch wrote the words of Jeremiah’s original prophetical scroll on a parchment and publicly read it in the Temple (Jer 36:5–8).
III. The tribulation.
A. This original scroll was later burned by wicked King Jehoiakim (Jer 36:22–23, 27).
B. Baruch became very discouraged, but was comforted by the Lord (Jer 45:1–5).
C. He was falsely accused of treason by some godless Jews (Jer 43:3).
D. Along with Jeremiah, he was forced by his own countrymen to leave Judah and live in Egypt (Jer 43:4–7).
STATISTICS
  Father: Neriah (Jer 32:12)
First mention: Jeremiah 32:12
Final mention: Jeremiah 45:2
Meaning of his name: “Blessed”
Referred to: 23 times
Biblical books mentioning him: One book (Jeremiah)
Occupation: Scribe (Jer 36:4, 32)
Important fact about his life: He wrote down Jeremiah’s prophecies (Jer 36:4, 32).

BARZILLAI
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
    I. The kindness he remitted to David.
A. This man from Gilead brought bedding, bowls, articles of pottery, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey, curds, sheep, and cheese to David during Absalom’s revolt (2 Sam 17:27–29).
B. At this time, he was advanced in age, around 80, and very wealthy (2 Sam 19:32).
II. The kindness he received from David.
A. He declined David’s gracious invitation to join the king in Jerusalem after the revolt, pleading old age as his reason (2 Sam 19:31–37).
B. As they parted, David expressed great appreciation to Barzillai (2 Sam 19:38–39).
C. David, on his deathbed, instructed Solomon to show great kindness to the sons of Barzillai (1 Kgs 2:7).
D. A female descendant of Barzillai and her husband (who himself bore the name Barzillai) are listed among those who returned to Jerusalem after the decree of Cyrus (Ezra 2:61).
STATISTICS
  First mention: 2 Samuel 17:27
Final mention: Nehemiah 7:63
Meaning of his name: “Strong, iron”
Referred to: Nine times
Biblical books mentioning him: Four books (2 Samuel, 1 Kings, Ezra, Nehemiah)
Important fact about his life: He brought David supplies during Absalom’s rebellion (2 Sam 17:27–29).

BATH-SHEBA
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
    I. Bath-sheba and David.
A. Her misconduct with David.
1. She was a very beautiful woman (2 Sam 11:2).
2. She slept with David and became pregnant by him (2 Sam 11:4–5).
B. Her marriage to David.
After the battlefield death of Uriah her husband, whom David had killed, she became David’s wife (2 Sam 11:27).
II. Bath-sheba and Solomon.
A. Seeking support for Solomon.
She informed the dying David of an attempt by his oldest son Adonijah to steal the kingdom from Solomon (1 Kgs 1:11–21).
B. Seeking support from Solomon.
She was later tricked by Adonijah into asking Solomon if he (Adonijah) could marry Abishag, David’s final concubine (1 Kgs 2:13–21).
C. Jewish tradition says she composed and recited Proverbs 31 as an admonition to her son Solomon. Bath-sheba is one of four women referred to in the New Testament genealogy leading to Christ (Matt 1:6).
STATISTICS
  Father: Eliam (2 Sam 11:3)
Spouses: Uriah and David (2 Sam 11:3, 27)
Sons: Five sons, one unnamed (2 Sam 11:27; 12:18). Four are named: Solomon, Nathan, Shammua, and Shobab (2 Sam 12:24; 1 Chr 3:5).
Significant ancestor: Her grandfather was Ahithophel (2 Sam 11:3; 23:34).
First mention: 2 Samuel 11:3
Final mention: Matthew 1:6 (“wife of Urias,” OT “Uriah”)
Meaning of her name: “Daughter of an oath”
Referred to: 12 times
Biblical books mentioning her: Four books (2 Samuel, 1 Kings, Psalms, Matthew)
Important fact about her life: She was Solomon’s mother (2 Sam 12:24).

BELSHAZZAR
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
    I. The ball hosted by Belshazzar.
A. The who of the matter.
1. Belshazzar was probably the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar.
2. He was the last king of the Neo-Babylonian empire.
B. The what of the matter.
The king had staged a huge state dinner and drinking party for 1,000 of his top officials (Dan 5:1).
C. The why of the matter.
At this exact time Babylon was surrounded by its enemy, Persia. Thus, the banquet was probably given for two reasons:
1. To boost his officials’ courage.
2. To show contempt for his enemies.
II. The gall shown by Belshazzar.
He ordered the gold and silver cups taken by his grandfather Nebuchadnezzar from the Jerusalem Temple to be brought to this feast, that the king might drink wine from them and praise the Babylonian gods (Dan 5:2–4).
III. The wall above Belshazzar.
Suddenly, he saw the fingers of a man’s hand writing a mysterious message on the wall above his table (Dan 5:5–6).
IV. The call by Belshazzar.
A. Belshazzar and the wise men.
A terrified king quickly turned to his astrologers and soothsayers for help, but they could not interpret the writing (Dan 5:7–9).
B. Belshazzar and the queen.
At the suggestion of the queen (probably his mother), he called for the prophet Daniel (Dan 5:10–12).
C. Belshazzar and Daniel (Dan 5:13–29).
The king offered to make Daniel third ruler in the kingdom if he could but interpret the writing. Daniel quickly delivered a twofold message:
1. Concerning Belshazzar’s sin.
a. His sin of pride (Dan 5:18, 20, 22).
b. His sin of perversion (Dan 5:23).
2. Concerning Belshazzar’s sentence.
Refusing his offer to become third ruler in the kingdom, Daniel interpreted the writing for Belshazzar. It was a message from God to the king (Dan 5:24–28).
a. Mene—“God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it” (Dan 5:26).
b. Tekel—“Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting” (Dan 5:27).
c. Peres—“Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians” (Dan 5:28).
V. The fall of Belshazzar.
That same night the Medes and Persians took the city and killed Belshazzar. Darius the Mede, at age 62, became the new ruler (Dan 5:30–31).
STATISTICS
  First mention: Daniel 5:1
Final mention: Daniel 8:1
Meaning of his name: “The lord’s leader”
Referred to: Eight times
Biblical books mentioning him: One book (Daniel)
Place of death: In the palace at Babylon
Circumstances of death: He was killed by order of Darius.
Important fact about his life: He received a written message from God on a wall during a banquet (Dan 5:5, 22–28).

BENAIAH
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
    I. David’s loyal supporter.
A. He was considered one of the four best warriors in David’s army (2 Sam 23:22–23).
B. He struck down a huge Egyptian with only a club when his enemy was holding a spear. The Egyptian was seven–and–a–half feet tall (2 Sam 23:21; 1 Chr 11:23).
C. He also defeated two of Moab’s best soldiers (2 Sam 23:20).
D. On one occasion he went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion (2 Sam 23:20).
II. Solomon’s loyal supporter.
A. Protecting Solomon from his enemies.
1. He sided with Solomon during the attempted revolt headed up by Adonijah (1 Kgs 1:8).
2. He helped Nathan the prophet and Zadok the high priest formally crown Solomon as king over Israel (1 Kgs 1:32–40).
B. Purging Solomon of his enemies.
Benaiah executed three of Solomon’s enemies.
1. Adonijah (1 Kgs 2:24–25).
2. Joab (1 Kgs 2:33–34).
3. Shimei (1 Kgs 2:44–46).
STATISTICS
  Father: Jehoiada (2 Sam 8:18)
Son: Ammizabad (1 Chr 27:6)
First mention: 2 Samuel 8:18
Final mention: 1 Chronicles 27:6
Meaning of his name: “God is intelligent”
Referred to: 24 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Three books (2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 1 Chronicles)
Occupation: Military leader (2 Sam 8:18)
Important fact about his life: He was a brave commander in the armies of both David and Solomon (2 Sam 8:18; 1 Kgs 2:35; 4:4).
BENJAMIN
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
    I. Growing up in Canaan.
A. He was Jacob’s youngest son, and the only one born in Canaan (Gen 46:19).
B. His mother, Rachel, died giving birth to him near the city of Bethlehem (Gen 35:16–18).
1. She named him “Benoni,” meaning “son of my sorrow” (Gen 35:18).
2. Jacob, however, renamed him “Benjamin,” meaning “son of my right hand” (Gen 35:18).
C. Benjamin’s only full brother was Joseph (Gen 30:22–24; 46:19).
D. He had 10 half brothers (Gen 35:23–26).
II. Going down to Egypt.
A. His arrival in Egypt.
1. He did not accompany his 10 half brothers during their first trip to Egypt to buy food (Gen 42:3–4).
2. However, Joseph, who had become prime minister in Egypt (but was unrecognized by the 10 brothers), demanded that Benjamin be brought to him on the next trip (Gen 42:18–20).
3. A reluctant Jacob finally permitted Benjamin to go (Gen 43:11–14).
4. Joseph greeted his brothers, prepared a banquet for them, and gave Benjamin five times the food portion that he gave the rest (Gen 43:15–34).
B. His arrest in Egypt.
1. After leaving for Canaan loaded down with food, the brothers were stopped en route and charged with stealing Joseph’s special silver cup. Unbeknownst to them, Joseph had secretly hidden it in Benjamin’s sack (Gen 44:1–12).
2. After they were brought back to Egypt, Judah pleaded with Joseph, offering to become his slave if only Benjamin could be set free (Gen 44:13–34).
C. His assurance in Egypt.
1. Unable to contain himself any longer, Joseph revealed his identity and sent them back to Canaan to get their father (Gen 45:1–21).
2. Benjamin received more silver and clothing gifts from Joseph than did his brothers (Gen 45:22).
STATISTICS
  Father: Jacob (Gen 46:19)
Mother: Rachel (Gen 35:16–19; 46:19)
Sons: Belah, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard (Gen 46:21)
Brothers: Full brother: Joseph (Gen 35:24); half brothers: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Gad, Asher, Dan, and Naphtali (Gen 35:23, 25–26)
Sister: Half sister: Dinah (Gen 30:21)
Significant descendants: The Old Testament and New Testament Sauls (1 Sam 9:1–2; Phil 3:5)
First mention: Genesis 35:18
Final mention: 1 Chronicles 7:6
Meaning of his name: “Son of my right hand”
Referred to: 21 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Four books (Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, 1 Chronicles)
Place of birth: Near Bethlehem (Gen 35:16–19)
Important fact about his life: He was the youngest of Jacob’s 12 sons (Gen 42:13).

BEZALEEL
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
    I. His anointing.
A. He was from the tribe of Judah (Exod 31:2).
B. He was filled with the Spirit of God (Exod 31:3).
II. His abilities.
A. God had given him skills and knowledge in all kinds of building craft (Exod 31:3).
B. He was also a gifted teacher (Exod 35:34).
III. His associate.
Bezaleel’s helper was Aholiab, from the tribe of Dan (Exod 31:6).
IV. His accomplishments.
A. He crafted the golden, silver, and bronze structures and cut the stone and wood, all of which were used in the Tabernacle construction (Exod 31:4–5; 35:30–33).
B. He personally constructed the Ark of the Covenant and the brazen altar (Exod 37:1–9; 2 Chr 1:5).
STATISTICS
  Father: Uri (Exod 31:2)
Significant ancestor: Caleb was his great-grandfather (1 Chr 2:18–20).
First mention: Exodus 31:2
Final mention: 2 Chronicles 1:5
Meaning of his name: “God is protection”
Referred to: Eight times
Biblical books mentioning him: Three books (Exodus, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles)
Occupation: Skilled craftsman in building materials (Exod 31:3–5)
Important fact about his life: Assisted by Aholiab, he oversaw the construction of the Tabernacle and everything in it, including the Ark of the Covenant (Exod 31:6).
BILDAD
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
    I. His concern (Job 2:11–13)
II. His criticism (Job 8, 18, 25).
It wasn’t long before Bildad’s compassion, as he viewed Job’s suffering, turned into hostile and unfair criticism. Bildad was in error on two counts.
A. His assumption was wrong.
Like his two friends Eliphaz and Zophar, Bildad assumed Job was suffering because of some terrible unconfessed sin (Job 8:20).
NOTE: Bildad based his assumption on tradition (see Job 8:8–10).
B. His advice was wrong.
Bildad’s counsel was simple: Repent of your secret sin! (Job 8:5–6).
III. His chastisement.
A. Bildad was later rebuked by God for his unkind and untrue opinion of Job (Job 42:7).
B. He was then required along with his two friends to offer up seven bulls and seven rams as burnt sacrifices for his sin of slander (Job 42:8–9).
STATISTICS
  Significant ancestor: He was a descendant of Abraham through Keturah (Gen 25:2).
First mention: Job 2:11
Final mention: Job 42:9
Meaning of his name: “Son of contention”
Referred to: Five times
Biblical books mentioning him: One book (Job)
Important fact about his life: He was one of Job’s three “friends” whose comfort turned out to be criticism (Job 2:11; 6:24–27).
BILHAH
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
    I. Her maternity for Jacob.
A. She was the servant girl given by Laban to his daughter Rachel following Rachel’s marriage to Jacob (Gen 29:28–29).
B. The barren Rachel then presented her to Jacob for childbearing purposes (Gen 30:1–4).
C. Bilhah gave birth to two sons, Dan and Naphtali (Gen 30:5–8; 35:25).
D. Later, Bilhah became the grandmother of five grandsons, one born to Dan, and four born to Naphtali (Gen 46:23–24).
II. Her misconduct with Reuben.
She had an illicit sexual affair with Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn son, whose mother was Leah (Gen 35:22).
STATISTICS
  Spouse: Jacob (Gen 30:1–4)
Sons: Dan and Naphtali (Gen 30:5–8; 35:25)
First mention: Genesis 29:29
Final mention: 1 Chronicles 7:13
Meaning of her name: “Tender”
Referred to: 10 times
Biblical books mentioning her: Two books (Genesis, 1 Chronicles)
Important fact about her life: She bore Jacob two sons (Gen 35:25).

BOAZ
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
    I. His meetings with Ruth.
A. In a wheat field.
1. Boaz was a close relative of Elimelech, who had been the husband of the widow Naomi (Ruth 2:1).
2. He was a wealthy bachelor from the tribe of Judah (Ruth 2:1).
3. He met Ruth in a field owned by him near Bethlehem (Ruth 2:4–8).
4. He commended her for the kindly treatment she showed toward her mother–in–law, Naomi (Ruth 2:5–13).
5. He instructed his harvesters to make it easier for her to glean the grain in his field (Ruth 2:15–16).
6. He provided this service for Ruth during the entire harvest season (Ruth 2:23).
B. By a threshing floor.
1. Acting upon Naomi’s instructions, Ruth proposed marriage to Boaz (Ruth 3:1–11).
2. Boaz was more than willing, but told Ruth that permission had to be secured from a relative who was even closer to Elimelech than he was (Ruth 3:12–4:6).
II. His marriage to Ruth.
A. After Boaz received this permission, the marriage contract was ratified by the exchanging of shoes (Ruth 4:7–12)
. B. Through Ruth, Boaz fathered a son named Obed (Ruth 4:13–17).
C. He thus became the great-grandfather of King David (Ruth 4:18–22).
STATISTICS
  Father: Salmon (Ruth 4:21)
Mother: Rahab (Matt 1:5)
Spouse: Ruth (Ruth 4:13)
Son: Obed (Ruth 4:13, 17)
Significant ancestor: Abraham (Matt 1:2, 5)
Significant descendants: David, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus (Ruth 4:22; Matt 1:16)
First mention: Ruth 2:1
Final mention: Luke 3:32
Meaning of his name: “Fleetness, strength”
Referred to: 26 times (“Booz” in NT)
Biblical books mentioning him: Four books (Ruth, 1 Chronicles, Matthew, Luke)
Occupation: Wealthy farmer (Ruth 2:1, 3)
Place of birth: Probably Bethlehem
Important fact about his life: He married Ruth and became an ancestor of Jesus through David’s line (Ruth 4:13, 21–22; Matt 1:5–16).

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