After hearing Ruth and Orpah protest, Naomi makes her longest speech in the book. At this point she remains committed to her proposal that they return to their own homes. She challenges them in the form of questions, first asking why they want to go with her and then asking, “Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands?” (v 11). Her opinion is firm. Without giving her daughters-in-law a chance to respond, Naomi continues her argument. She advises them to “turn