Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down. (2) And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
It appears to have been the custom in Israel to settle all points of law at the gates of the city: perhaps, that all going by might attend if they pleased. It was therefore an open court. Hence the Psalmist describes the happiness of the man that had his quiver full of bows, in a plentiful progeny. And he saith, such shall not be ashamed, when speaking with the enemies in the gate. Psalms 127:5. To this spot Boaz came attended by the 'elders, and called the other kinsman, which had a prior claim in the mortgaged inheritance of Elimelech's family. There is a great beauty in the expression, Ho! such an one! turn aside. The gospel call is, Ho! every one. But when the Holy Ghost makes that call personal, like the young man of the prophet's to Jehu, it is delightful indeed. See Isaiah 55:1; 2 Kings 9:5.