Judges

Mid-levelBusy pastors, General readers, Pastors-in-trainingStrong recommendation
Bible Book: Judges
Publisher: Banner of Truth
Theological Perspective: Reformed
Resource Type: Commentary
Last updated: February 5, 2026
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Evaluation

Overall Score: 8.1/10

A sober, pastoral exposition of Judges that helps us preach sin’s spiral and God’s mercy with clarity and force.

Publication Date(s): 1999
Pages: 350
ISBN: 9780851517629
Faithfulness to the Text: 8.4/10
We find a consistent effort to explain the narrative and its repeated patterns in a way that respects the book’s structure and purpose.
Christ Centredness: 8/10
Christ is not overused as a quick fix, yet the need for a true Deliverer is kept in view in a way that supports responsible gospel preaching.
Depth of Insight: 8.2/10
We are helped by clear moral and theological observations that arise naturally from the text’s repeated cycles.
Clarity of Writing: 8/10
Generally clear and direct, with an older style that still reads well for determined preparation.
Pastoral Usefulness: 8.4/10
Strong for warning, correction, and encouragement toward faithful obedience under the Lord’s rule.
Readability: 7.9/10
Not light reading, but it is accessible and usable for ministry purposes.

Summary

At a Glance

Length
350 pages
Type
Expository (Mid-Level)
Theo. Perspective
Reformed
Overall score
8.1 / 10
Strength
Clear moral seriousness and steady application shaped by the text.
Limitation
Less support for modern technical debates and recent scholarship.

We find Fausset’s Judges a vigorous exposition that helps us trace the book’s downward spiral with soberness, and its flashes of deliverance with gratitude. He keeps the narrative moving, but he also keeps asking what the Lord is teaching His people through repeated compromise and repeated mercy.

The tone is frank about sin and realistic about the church’s need for godly leadership. It is particularly helpful when we want our preaching to expose idols, warn against gradual drift, and yet still hold out the Lord’s patience and power to save.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own this commentary because it helps us preach the moral darkness of Judges without turning it into mere shock value. It keeps the focus on covenant faithfulness, the cost of unbelief, and the Lord’s mercy toward undeserving people.

We also benefit from its clear warnings. It helps us apply Judges to congregational life in a way that is searching but not cynical, and it pushes us toward humble dependence rather than clever leadership techniques.

For weekly preparation, it gives solid guidance that supports clear exposition and honest pastoral application.

Closing Recommendation

We recommend this as a useful mid level commentary for preaching Judges, especially when we want help drawing out the book’s spiritual lessons with sobriety. Pair it with a modern volume for extra historical detail, but this remains strong for pastoral direction and moral clarity.

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.


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Classification

  • Level: Mid-level
  • Best For: Busy pastors, General readers, Pastors-in-training
  • Priority: Strong recommendation

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Commentary

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Reviewed by

An Expositor

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