And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
Ver. 8. And Naomi said unto her two daughters-in-law.] Hitherto she hath acted her part by doing and suffering. Now, and not till now, we find her speaking. Her tongue did not hang loose, to be upon every touch extolling: but "she openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness," as Proverbs 31:26 .
Go, return each to her mother's house.] Ite, redite. This she spake as a wise woman, to make trial of the soundness of their love. Videas cui fidas, try before you trust. Open heartedness is a sign of folly; credulity, of levity.
The Lord deal kindly with you.] This, her motherly benediction, was the best valediction. Gold and silver she had not for them, but that which was better, heartiest prayers and well wishes; and of these people should be even prodigal, since this their labour of love cannot be in vain in the Lord.
As ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.] Though of an ill race, they proved dutiful wives and kind daughters-in-law. Howbeit nothing is more dangerous than to graft in a bad stock, to be imped in a wicked family. This relation too often draweth in a share both of sin and punishment. Ahab and Ahaziah, for instance.