But when the people of Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them out — The conditional 'when' (kî) introduces a partial restoration: growing strength (ḥāzaq) allows for coerced labor ('avodâ) but not extermination. This represents a compromise of covenant purity; the Canaanites remain as a subjugated class rather than being driven out entirely. The phrase 'did not utterly drive them out' (lō hôrîšûm hôrîš) becomes a refrain in Joshua and Judges, indicating a repeated failure to maintain covenant exclusivity. Theologically, this compromise seeds the idolatry and apostasy that follow.

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