4:1 Then went Boaz up to the {a} gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, {b} Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.
(a) Which was the place of judgment.
(b) The Hebrews here use two words which have no proper meaning, but serve to denote a certain person, as we would say, Ho, so-and-so.
4:1-8 This matter depended on the laws given by Moses about inheritances, and doubtless the whole was settled in the regular and legal manner. This kinsman, when he heard the conditions of the bargain, refused it. In like manner many are shy of the great redemption; they are not willing to espouse religion; they have heard well of it, and have nothing to say against it; they will give it their good word, but they are willing to part with it, and cannot be bound to it, for fear of marring their own inheritance in this world. The right was resigned to Boaz. Fair and open dealing in all matters of contract and trade, is what all must make conscience of, who would approve themselves true Israelites, without guile. Honesty will be found the best policy.
