And when he had destroyed - Subdued, cast out, or extirpated them as nations. It does not mean that all were put to death, for many of them were left in the land; but that they were subdued as nations, they were broken up and overcome, Deuteronomy 7:1, “And hath cast out many nations before them,” etc.
Seven nations - The Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, Deuteronomy 7:1; Joshua 3:10; Nehemiah 9:8.
In the land of Canaan - The whole land Was called by the name of one of the principal nations. This was the promised land; the holy land, etc.
He divided ... - See an account of this in Jos. 14–15: The lot was often used among the Jews to determine important questions. See the note at Acts 1:26.