They put the Canaanites to tribute— Generally speaking, nothing could have prevented the Israelites from extirpating these nations, and, indeed, nothing could have excused them from doing so: but, preferring present peace to the obedience which they owed to God, they contented themselves with receiving a tribute from them, soothing to their indolence, and requiring no warlike efforts on their part.
Related Commentaries of Judges 1:28
Judges 1:28
28 And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out.