Israel Fails to Conquer the Land

19The Lord was with the people of Judah, and they took possession of the hill country. But they failed to drive out the people living in the plains, who had iron chariots. 20The town of Hebron was given to Caleb as Moses had promised. And Caleb drove out the people living there, who were descendants of the three sons of Anak.

21The tribe of Benjamin, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live in Jerusalem among the people of Benjamin.

22The descendants of Joseph attacked the town of Bethel, and the Lord was with them. 23They sent men to scout out Bethel (formerly known as Luz). 24They confronted a man coming out of the town and said to him, “Show us a way into the town, and we will have mercy on you.” 25So he showed them a way in, and they killed everyone in the town except that man and his family.

28When the Israelites grew stronger, they forced the Canaanites to work as slaves, but they never did drive them completely out of the land.