Judges 2:21

21 I will not henceforth drive out before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died,

Judges 2:21 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 2:21

I also henceforth will not drive out and from before them,
&c.] At least not as yet, not very soon nor hastily, as in ( Judges 2:23 ) ;

of the nations which Joshua left when he died;
that is, unsubdued; which was owing either to the infirmities of old age coming upon him, which made him incapable of engaging further in war with the Canaanites; or to the sloth and indolence of the people, being weary of war, and not caring to prosecute it; or to want of men to cultivate any more land, and people other cities, than what they were possessed of; and chiefly this was owing to the providence of God, who had an end to answer hereby, as follows.

Judges 2:21 In-Context

19 But whenever the judge died, they turned back and behaved worse than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them; they did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways.

20 So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel; and he said, "Because this people have transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not obeyed my voice,

21 I will not henceforth drive out before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died,

22 that by them I may test Israel, whether they will take care to walk in the way of the LORD as their fathers did, or not."

23 So the LORD left those nations, not driving them out at once, and he did not give them into the power of Joshua.