Why did he die?
Malbim: Once he decided to live there on a fixed basis, he died immediately.
What is the Chidush that he was "Ish Na'ami"?
Rashi citing Sanhedrin 22b: A man dies only to his wife (she is pained more than anyone else).
Rashi: Because he was Ish Na'ami and ruled over her, and she was secondary to him, Midas ha'Din struck him, and not her.
Malbim: "Ish Na'ami" hints that first Hashem punished him monetarily - He does not strike mortally first! Since he was known for his wealth, people would have said 'Elimelech the Ashir died.' Had he been in Eretz Yisrael, they would add that he was the leader and Gedol ha'Dor. Since he lost his wealth, and he was in Chutz la'Aretz, he was known only as "Ish Na'ami." She was more known than him; his fame was being her husband!
What do we learn from "va'Tisha'er Hi u'Shnei Vaneha"?
Midrash: Na'ami was like the Shirayim of a Minchah. Vilna Gaon, Malbim - the Midrash answers a difficulty - 'Nish'ar' applies only when a minority remains. Here, one died and three remained! It answers, we find that a Kemitzah is taken from a Minchah of an Isaron 1 , and the remnant is called Shirayim, because what is primary was taken. Also here, Elimelech was primary 2 .
Malbim: She did not take Musar to return to Eretz Yisrael. She remained there.
An Isaron is the volume of 43.2 eggs. A Kemitzah (what fits in his three middle fingers when he bends them onto his palm) is a tiny fraction of this. (PF)
