BibleWay
⌕

← Circles and connections

Judges era and the road to David

Ruth and Boaz, Samuel and Eli, Samson: people of the period of the judges who connect Israel to the monarchy and to David.

Naomi and Ruth: mother-in-law and daughter-in-lawNaomi and Ruth: mother-in-law and daughter-in-lawNaomi and Ruth: mother-in-law and daughter-in-lawRuth and Boaz: the kinsman-redeemerRuth and Boaz: the kinsman-redeemerRuth and Boaz: the kinsman-redeemerSalmon and Rahab: the Jericho woman in David's ancestrySalmon and Rahab: the Jericho woman in David's ancestrySalmon and Rahab: the Jericho woman in David's ancestrySalmon and Rahab: the Jericho woman in David's ancestrySalmon and Rahab: the Jericho woman in David's ancestrySalmon and Rahab: the Jericho woman in David's ancestryNahshon: Judah's leader and ancestor of DavidSamuel and Eli: priest and apprentice at ShilohSamuel and Eli: priest and apprentice at ShilohSamuel and Eli: priest and apprentice at ShilohEli, Hophni and Phinehas: a priestly house judgedEli, Hophni and Phinehas: a priestly house judgedEli, Hophni and Phinehas: a priestly house judgedEli, Hophni and Phinehas: a priestly house judgedEli, Hophni and Phinehas: a priestly house judgedEli, Hophni and Phinehas: a priestly house judgedSamuel: last judge and kingmakerHannah, Elkanah and the birth of SamuelSamson and Manoah: a Nazirite from birthSamson and DelilahNaomiIsraelite woman, mother-in-law of Ruth.RuthMoabite woman, ancestor of David and JesusElimelechNaomi's husband from Bethlehem.BoazKinsman-redeemer who married Ruth, ancestor of David and JesusObedSon of Boaz and RuthJesseFather of King David.DavidAnointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus ChristSalmonSon of Nahshon; husband of Rahab; ancestor of DavidRahabA Canaanite woman who helped the Israelite spies in JerichoNahshonSon of Amminadab, leader of Judah, ancestor of David.AmminadabFather-in-law of Aaron, ancestor of DavidRamSon of Hezron, ancestor of David and JesusHezronSon of Perez, grandson of Judah, ancestor of David.PerezSon of Judah, ancestor of David and JesusSamuelProphet and last judge of Israel before the kingsHannahThe mother of the prophet Samuel.EliHigh priest and judge of Israel at ShilohHophniA corrupt priest, son of Eli.PhinehasWicked son of Eli the priestSamsonIsraelite judge with great strength from GodManoahFather of Samson, from the tribe of Dan.DelilahPhilistine woman who betrayed SamsonOthnielFirst judge of Israel, Caleb's nephewCalebFaithful spy, given Hebron as inheritance
Links shared by the whole circle are listed below rather than drawn.FamilyTeacher & studentRoleSolid line = stated or widely accepted · dashed = tradition, debate or hypothesis

Who is connected to whom

PersonConnections in this circle
Naomi
Israelite woman, mother-in-law of Ruth.
Ruth
Moabite woman
Boaz, Obed, Jesse and David Stated in the text
Elimelech
Father of Mahlon
Boaz
Son of Salmon
Boaz, Obed, Jesse and David Stated in the text
Obed
Son of Boaz
Boaz, Obed, Jesse and David Stated in the text
Jesse
David's father
Boaz, Obed, Jesse and David Stated in the text
David
King of Judah
Boaz, Obed, Jesse and David Stated in the text
Salmon
Son of Nahshon
Rahab
A Canaanite woman who helped the Israelite spies in Jericho
Nahshon
Son of Amminadab
Amminadab
Son of Ram
Ram
Son of Hezron		—
Hezron
Son of Perez		—
Perez
Son of Judah		—
Samuel
Prophet and Judge
Hannah
The mother of the prophet Samuel.
Eli
A High Priest
Hophni
A priest
Phinehas
From Levi
Samson
A Judge
Samson and Delilah Stated in the text
Manoah
Samson's father
Delilah
Philistine woman who betrayed Samson
Samson and Delilah Stated in the text
Othniel
A Judge		—
Caleb
Joshua's compatriot		—

The evidence, connection by connection

All · 11Stated in the text · 10Church tradition · 1
FamilyRoleTeacher & student

Naomi and Ruth: mother-in-law and daughter-in-law

FamilyStated in the text

After Elimelech and their sons died in Moab, Naomi returned to Bethlehem; her Moabite daughter-in-law Ruth refused to leave ("Your people shall be my people"). Their bond drives the plot, and the women of Bethlehem call the child born to Ruth "Naomi's son".

NaomiIsraelite woman, mother-in-law of Ruth.RuthMoabite womanElimelechFather of Mahlon
Where the text shows it: Ruth 1:16-17 — Ruth's pledgeRuth 3:1-5 — Naomi plans Ruth's futureRuth 4:14-17 — The women bless Naomi; the child is Naomi's

Sources: Ruth 1:16-17 · Ruth 3:1-5 · Ruth 4:14-17

Ruth and Boaz: the kinsman-redeemer

FamilyStated in the text

Boaz, a relative of Elimelech, allowed Ruth to glean, acted as redeemer after a closer relative declined, bought the family land and married Ruth. The account joins the law of redemption (Lev 25) and levirate practice with a story of kindness (hesed).

RuthMoabite womanBoazSon of SalmonNaomiIsraelite woman, mother-in-law of Ruth.
Where the text shows it: Ruth 2:1-3 — Boaz is of Elimelech's familyRuth 3:9-13 — Ruth asks Boaz to redeemRuth 4:1-10 — Legal redemption at the gateLev 25:25 — The redeemer law

Sources: Ruth 2:1-3 · Ruth 3:9-13 · Ruth 4:1-10 · Lev 25:25

Boaz, Obed, Jesse and David

FamilyStated in the text

Ruth and Boaz's son Obed became father of Jesse, father of David. The book of Ruth ends with this genealogy, presenting the Moabite Ruth as David's great-grandmother; Matthew repeats the line.

BoazSon of SalmonObedSon of BoazJesseDavid's fatherDavidKing of JudahRuthMoabite woman
Where the text shows it: Ruth 4:17 — Obed father of Jesse, father of DavidRuth 4:18-22 — Genealogy from Perez to DavidMatt 1:5-6 — Matthew's genealogy: Boaz, Obed, Jesse, David

Sources: Ruth 4:17 · Ruth 4:18-22 · Matt 1:5-6

Salmon and Rahab: the Jericho woman in David's ancestry

FamilyChurch tradition

Matthew names Rahab as the wife of Salmon and mother of Boaz. The identification with the Rahab of Jericho is the standard reading, but the Old Testament never says Salmon married her, and chronology is debated.

SalmonSon of NahshonRahabA Canaanite woman who helped the Israelite spies in JerichoBoazSon of SalmonNahshonSon of Amminadab
Where the text shows it: Matt 1:5 — Salmon fathered Boaz by RahabJosh 2:1 — Rahab hides the spies at JerichoJosh 6:25 — Rahab survives Jericho's fallRuth 4:20-21 — Nahshon, Salmon, Boaz
Ways people read this (2)
  • Standard reading: Matthew's Rahab is the Rahab of Jericho.
  • Some scholars note chronological tension (about 200 years between Jericho and David) and suggest either compressed genealogies or a different Rahab.

Sources: Matt 1:5 · Josh 2:1 · Josh 6:25 · Ruth 4:20-21

Nahshon: Judah's leader and ancestor of David

FamilyStated in the text

Nahshon son of Amminadab led Judah's tribe in the wilderness. Aaron's wife Elisheba was Amminadab's daughter, making Nahshon Aaron's brother-in-law: the line of David and the line of the priests are thus linked by marriage.

NahshonSon of AmminadabAmminadabSon of RamAaronHigh Priest
Where the text shows it: Num 1:7 — Nahshon son of Amminadab, leader of JudahExod 6:23 — Aaron marries Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab and sister of NahshonRuth 4:20 — Amminadab fathers Nahshon

Sources: Num 1:7 · Exod 6:23 · Ruth 4:20

Samuel and Eli: priest and apprentice at Shiloh

Teacher & studentStated in the text

Hannah dedicated the boy Samuel to the LORD at Shiloh, where he served under the priest Eli. God first spoke to Samuel at night, and Eli taught him to answer. Samuel then delivered to Eli the message that his house was doomed.

SamuelProphet and JudgeEliA High PriestHannahThe mother of the prophet Samuel.
Where the text shows it: 1 Sam 1:24-28 — Hannah leaves Samuel with Eli1 Sam 3:1-10 — Eli instructs Samuel to answer the voice1 Sam 3:11-18 — Samuel reports the judgement on Eli's house

Sources: 1 Sam 1:24-28 · 1 Sam 3:1-10 · 1 Sam 3:11-18

Eli, Hophni and Phinehas: a priestly house judged

RoleStated in the text

Eli's sons abused their priestly office. Eli failed to restrain them; the ark was captured and both sons died in one day, and Eli died on hearing it. The story also marks the transfer of priestly honour from the line of Eli (of Ithamar) toward Zadok (of Eleazar) under Solomon.

EliA High PriestHophniA priestPhinehasFrom LeviSamuelProphet and Judge
Where the text shows it: 1 Sam 2:12-17 — Sons' abuses1 Sam 4:10-18 — Ark captured; deaths1 Kgs 2:26-27 — Abiathar, Eli's descendant, removed by Solomon

Sources: 1 Sam 2:12-17 · 1 Sam 4:10-18 · 1 Kgs 2:26-27

Samuel: last judge and kingmaker

RoleStated in the text

Samuel anointed Saul at God's direction, later announced Saul's rejection, then anointed David at Bethlehem. His sons Joel and Abijah were corrupt, which prompted the elders' request for a king.

SamuelProphet and JudgeSaulKing of Israel,DavidKing of Judah
Where the text shows it: 1 Sam 8:1-5 — Samuel's sons; the elders ask for a king1 Sam 10:1 — Samuel anoints Saul1 Sam 15:26-28 — Saul rejected1 Sam 16:13 — Samuel anoints David

Sources: 1 Sam 8:1-5 · 1 Sam 10:1 · 1 Sam 15:26-28 · 1 Sam 16:13

Samson and Manoah: a Nazirite from birth

FamilyStated in the text

Manoah's wife was barren until an angel announced a son to be a Nazirite from the womb. Samson was from Zorah in the tribe of Dan, near the Philistines whom he began to deliver.

SamsonA JudgeManoahSamson's father
Where the text shows it: Judg 13:2-5 — Angel announces SamsonJudg 13:24-25 — Samson born and blessedJudg 16:31 — Buried in Manoah's tomb

Sources: Judg 13:2-5 · Judg 13:24-25 · Judg 16:31

Samson and Delilah

RoleStated in the text

Samson loved Delilah, who was paid by the Philistine rulers to learn the secret of his strength. After three false answers he revealed that his hair, sign of his Nazirite vow, was the source. He was blinded and imprisoned, then died toppling Dagon's temple.

SamsonA JudgeDelilahPhilistine woman who betrayed Samson
Where the text shows it: Judg 16:4-6 — Delilah hired by Philistine lordsJudg 16:17-21 — Secret revealed; Samson capturedJudg 16:28-30 — Samson's death

Sources: Judg 16:4-6 · Judg 16:17-21 · Judg 16:28-30

Drafted with AI assistance from the biblical text and named historical sources, and labelled by how firmly each link is supported. Family links also draw on STEPBible’s TIPNR data (CC BY 4.0). Where tradition or hypothesis is involved, read the cited verses and judge for yourself.