The answer is: Famine in his home town

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

Elimelech's journey to Moab in search of sustenance opens up profound layers in this story. Imagine living in Israel during a time of famine, where the rains had failed, crops had withered, and families faced uncertain futures. The ancient Near East was a place where survival often depended on the land’s fertility, and echoes of communal struggle replay throughout the Hebrew Bible.

Interestingly, this journey of Elimelech also facilitates an invasion of Judah’s predominantly Judahite culture by foreign Moab influences – particularly significant since Moabites were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew. Their interaction is woven seamlessly into the fabric of Israelite identity which was often marked by tensions with neighboring countries. This tension sets the stage for Ruth, the Moabite woman whose loyalties draw her back to Bethlehem with Naomi after tragedy strikes their family.

Elimelech's name, meaning "My God is King," highlights an intriguing contrast. Instead of relying on divine providence and King Saul's leadership back in Judah, he seeks provision in foreign lands, showing mankind’s tendency to solve problems through earthly means before turning to a higher call. The choice to go to Moab, although financially motivated, can echo the timeless struggle of finding faith and direction during life's greatest trials.

Overall, exploring the implications behind this narrative leads not just to historical contexts but also to timeless themes of loyalty, loss, and the powerful bonds within family during testing times.