‘ So she stuck close to the maidens of Boaz, to glean to the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest, and she dwelt with her mother-in-law.'
So Ruth did what Naomi had asked, and ensured that she stuck close to Boaz's young women, who would have regard for her because she was a protégé of Boaz, all the while that she was gleaning, first with regard to the barley harvest, and then with regard to the wheat harvest which followed. And thus two or three months passed by. It was clear that YHWH was watching over the one who had taken shelter under His wings (Ruth 2:12), and was keeping her safe.
“And she dwelt with her mother-in-law.” She remained a firm member of the family of the deceased Elimelech. It was as such that God's purposes would be fulfilled. And thus she had protection, both when she was in the fields, and in the home in which she lived, for Naomi was a respected member of the community. But there is here also a reminder that they were two widows, two defenceless women living together. However, as we shall soon learn, God is the One Who watches over widows and orphans, and so they were not without a protector.
“The barley harvest -- the wheat harvest.” The barley harvesting commenced immediately after the Feast of Unleavened Bread in late March or early April, whilst the wheat harvest was terminated by The Feast of Sevens (Weeks), that is, seven weeks later in late May or early June.
It should be noticed how God's purposes are unravelling. Ruth 2 has dealt with the concern of Ruth and Naomi to find sufficient food to see them through the coming months, and with Ruth's diligence in going about the task. For them that was a basic need and they had no other thought in mind. But it was while they were seeking to do this, with no other thought than to be obedient to God's Law and to take advantage of His provision, that the One under Whose wings Ruth had taken refuge has revealed that He had greater purposes in mind.