Summary
We find Arthur E. Cundall’s Judges & Ruth in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries series a steady companion for reading the passage in front of us, then carrying it into preaching and teaching with care. It keeps us close to the text, and it helps us see the shape of the argument without drowning us in detail.
The tone is measured and pastor-friendly. We are guided through key turns in the book, with enough background to avoid missteps, and with a consistent concern for what the Lord is saying through His Word.
Why Should I Own This Commentary?
We should own this volume when we want a reliable guide that supports the move from exegesis to proclamation. It is not trying to do everything, but it repeatedly helps us put our finger on the main line and speak it clearly to the church.
We also benefit from the way it handles common difficulties. It tends to clarify what matters most, and it keeps application tethered to the passage rather than to our favourite themes.
For weekly preparation, it sits well alongside a more technical work. We can do specialist digging elsewhere, then return here for clarity, proportion, and a steady sense of what we should press home.
Closing Recommendation
We recommend this as a strong mid-level commentary for preaching and teaching Judges & Ruth. It will not answer every debated question, but it consistently helps us handle the text faithfully and speak with pastoral steadiness.
As pastoral next steps, we can visit the Bible Book Overview, browse Top Recommendations, and use the Reformed Commentary Index to build a wiser working library.
Arthur E. Cundall
Arthur E. Cundall was a British evangelical scholar of the mid to late twentieth century, remembered for concise exposition aimed at helping ordinary Christians understand the Old Testament.
He is best known for work on Judges, where he traces Israel’s repeated spiral of sin, discipline, deliverance, and relapse, showing the need for faithful leadership and covenant renewal. Cundall helps pastors preach these unsettling narratives without either excusing sin or turning every episode into moralism, because he keeps the Lord’s covenant faithfulness and Israel’s spiritual drift firmly in view.
He remains valued for clarity, restraint, and a steady concern to serve preaching and Bible teaching. Recommended titles include Judges and Ruth in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, his devotional Bible commentary writing, and his studies that help readers grasp the storyline and theology of the Old Testament.
Theological Perspective: Broadly Evangelical