I include all these verses within one view, because one general observation suits the whole. We see in them the sad picture of Israel's want of faith, and consequently want of courage. Had those tribes trusted to the arm of God, they would not have feared the power of man. Had they called to mind that it was their rock which had sold them, and that their Lord had shut them up, their chariots of iron would have been considered by them but as the reeds of Egypt; but one of them would have chased a thousand, and two of them have put ten thousand to flight. Deuteronomy 32:30. But Reader! while we behold the sad defect of Israel, let us look nearer home. How often doth that guilt breed fear, which like the Canaanite, dwells in our hearts, in our affections and lusts; and hence we forget our strength in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Oh! for more of that faith in lively exercise, which overcometh the world. 1 John 5:4.
Judges 1:27-36
27 Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
28 And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out.
29 Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.
30 Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries.
31 Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob:
32 But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: for they did not drive them out.
33 Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabitants of Bethanath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath became tributaries unto them.
34 And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:
35 But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed,c so that they became tributaries.
36 And the coast of the Amorites was from the going up to Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.