The answer is: Famine in his home town

Ruth 1:1 - The name "Elimelech" literally means "My God [is] King".

Elimelech’s decision to take his family from Bethlehem to Moab is a powerful example of human struggle and survival. When you think about Bethlehem, it’s not just a setting but the "House of Bread," which adds a poignant twist to the story. Here is Elimelech, living in a place known for bread, yet famine grips the land. That irony symbolizes how life doesn't always give us what we expect.

Elimelech, whose name suggests loyalty to the sovereignty of God, ironically moves to a land of idol worship, yet his journey represents a universal story—sometimes you have to make tough choices to keep your family alive. During Elimelech's time, intermittent famines were common and harmful, affecting those dependent on agriculture, something the people of Bethlehem would find profoundly heartbreaking.

Interestingly, Moab was seen as an outsider land, a setting of tension and historical conflict with Israel. The term "Moab" itself refers to the lineage of Lot, bringing a complex heritage to those residing there. But in Moab, Elimelech’s family ties to the land show that sometimes refuge leads to unexpected blessings, as seen with Ruth’s loyalty and lineage.

Ruth's eventual connection to King David and, as interpretations suggest, ultimately to the coming Messiah adds depth to this story. It's amazing how the woes borne out of famine create generational ripples, reflecting how we navigate life's crises with faith and resilience.