‘ And Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left, and her two sons.'
We are not told how long they had been in Moab before Elimelech died, but his death must have been a cruel blow to the family. The impression given is that the sons were at the time in no position to provide the support that Naomi needed. Many would see his death and its consequence as an indication of God's disapproval of what he had done.