John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 2:22
That through them I may prove Israel ,.... Afflict them by them, and so prove or try them, their faith and patience, which are tried by afflictions; and such were the Canaanites to them, as afflictions and temptations are to the spiritual Israel of God; or rather, whether they would keep in the ways of God, or walk in those the Canaanites did, as follows: whether they will keep the way of the Lord, as their fathers did keep it , or not ; whether they would worship the true God their... read more
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 2:21
I also henceforth will not drive out and from before them ,.... 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... read more