Overview
The Bible addresses entertainments across 17 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Ruth, Proverbs and 1 Samuel. Closely related themes include Inheritance, Ruth, Threshing and Hospitality. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Boaz, David, Saul and Jonathan.
Key Bible verses about entertainments
Old Testament
Ruth
And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.
And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. uncover: or, lift up the clothes that are on
And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.
And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
1 Samuel
So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.
And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty.
Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.
Esther
On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. of the same: Heb. in it
But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.
Proverbs
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. her beasts: Heb. her killing
She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
People in the Bible and entertainments
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying entertainments for yourself
- Begin with Ruth 3:2, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Ruth, Proverbs and 1 Samuel each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Boaz, David and Saul and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Inheritance, Ruth, Threshing and Hospitality.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about entertainments?
The Bible addresses entertainments across 17 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Ruth, Proverbs and 1 Samuel. Closely related themes include Inheritance, Ruth, Threshing and Hospitality. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Boaz, David, Saul and Jonathan.
How many Bible verses are about entertainments?
The Bible references entertainments in 17 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention entertainments?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Ruth 3:2: “And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with entertainments?
Boaz, David, Saul, Jonathan and Abner.
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