Evaluation

Overall Score: 7.9/10

A strong mid-level guide to 1 Chronicles that helps us stay close to the text and speak with clear pastoral purpose.

Publication Date(s): 1979

Pages: 176

ISBN: 9780851118338

Faithfulness to the Text: 8.2/10

We are helped by careful attention to context and flow, with a steady concern to let 1 Chronicles set the agenda rather than our assumptions.

Christ Centredness: 8/10

We are guided to read the book within the Bible's saving storyline, so our preaching can move to Christ with restraint and confidence.

Depth of Insight: 7.7/10

There is enough depth to clarify the harder turns, often giving us just what we need to preach the next section responsibly.

Clarity of Writing: 7.8/10

Clear, well organised writing that is easy to consult in sermon preparation.

Pastoral Usefulness: 8.1/10

The volume serves preaching and teaching well, helping us press truth home without drifting into moralism or vagueness.

Readability: 7.9/10

Readable in steady portions, with a layout that suits both sustained reading and quick reference.

Summary

At a Glance

Length: 176 pages
Type: Expository (Mid-Level)
Theo. Perspective: Broadly Evangelical
Overall score: 7.9 / 10
Strength: Balanced explanation with consistent help for sermon preparation.
Limitation: Not designed to replace a fully technical commentary when specialist detail is required.

We find Martin J. Selman’s 1 Chronicles 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 1 Chronicles. 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.

Where to buy

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