Brown, C. A. Joshua, Judges, Ruth. NIBC. Hendrickson, 2000 (398 pp.; 121-289). From the foreword: “The purpose of this commentary series is to help readers navigate this strange and sometimes forbidding literary and spiritual terrain . . . so that the power and meaning of these biblical texts become transparent to contemporary readers” (ix). Based on the NIV, the treatment is readable and uncluttered though Brown’s endnotes exhibit a well-rounded engagement and are worth the page-flipping. The bold text in her section by section treatment refers to more specific comments and explanations at the end of each section—a particularly helpful feature for those interested in more details about certain passages.

McCann, J. C. Judges. Interpretation. John Knox, 2002 (146 pp.). A readable treatment of what has become a difficult book. Helpful introduction on the reasons Judges has been less than favored in the church. McCann demonstrates the relevance of modern society to the shortcomings of people—God’s people and other people—in Judges. Treats obligatory historical issues relative to the development of the book, but the lion’s share of attention is attributed to thematic progressions as these are situated within a canonical context. Pastors and serious students will appreciate the engagement with this scholar.

Olson, D. T. “Judges.” NIB. Abingdon, 1998 (1388 pp.; 721-888). Solid treatment of Judges. Olson is informative on the range of issues swirling around the book’s more challenging sections as well as how a variety of interpretive strategies have attempted to work through such issues. Leans more toward narrative-focused exegesis. Provides an overview of each section of the book followed by the corresponding text in NIV and NRSV (side by side). Commentary and Reflections sections follow. More concerned with the final form of the text than with the archaeological and historical worksite. Theological concerns rank high.