Prologue: Misery and Emptiness (1:1–6)
(Setting and predicament: A Judahite family’s males die in Moab: Naomi is without a male to care for her)
Act 1. Naomi’s Return (1:7–22)
(responsibilities inherent in ties of kinship)
Act 2. Ruth and Boaz in the Fields (2:1–23)
(the character of Boaz and Ruth: he is a gibbôr ḥayil)
Act 3. Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor (3:1–18)
(the character of Boaz and Ruth: she is an ʾēšet ḥayil
Act 4. Boaz Arranges to Marry Ruth (4:1–12)
(responsibilities inherent in ties of kinship)
Epilogue: Satisfaction and Fullness (4:13–17)
(Conclusion and resolution: son born to Ruth and Boaz; Naomi is restored to life and fullness)
Coda: Genealogy (4:18–22)