The book tells the story of the family of Elimelech , his wife Naomi , and their sons Mahlon and Chilion . Because of a famine , they were forced to leave Bethlehem and go to the land of Moab . During the time of the Judges when there was a famine , an Israelite family from Bethlehemâ '' Elimelech , his wife Naomi , and their sons Mahlon and Chilionâ '' emigrate to the nearby country of Moab .