Judges 1:28

Tribute. Heb. mas. “Tribute” does not represent the true idea of this Hebrew word, which means “labor gangs.” The word signifies a levy of men impressed for taskwork, not the taskwork itself. Both David and Solomon used compulsory labor levies in their building projects and in the work of fortifying cities (1 Kings 5:13; 9:15,21). At this time the Hebrews, in the areas in which they were dominant, forced the defeated Canaanites to work in rebuilding the captured cities and strengthening fortifications.

Not utterly drive. That is, even in the regions where the Hebrews were strong, a large number of Canaanites who submitted to forced labor for the privilege of living in their villages or on their farms were permitted to remain. The danger of this to Israelite religion and morals is apparent in the later history of this book.