‘ And she lay at his feet until the morning. And she rose up before one was able to discern another. For he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing-floor.”
However, in view of the fact that she might be offered to another he clearly felt that it was necessary to be discreet. Nothing wrong had been done, but he would not want it known that she had offered herself to him when matters were not yet settled. And as always, there would be those who would try to make something out of an innocent situation, interpreting her presence in the wrong way. So no doubt following his advice, Ruth, having laid at his feet until morning, arose before it was yet quite light in order to make her way home. Meanwhile Boaz instructed any who may have observed Ruth's presence not to let it be known that she had been there. He did not want her compromised in any way.