31 Now these are the nations which the Lord left , to test Israel by them (that is, all who had not experienced any of the wars of Canaan ; 2 only in order that the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught war , those who had not experienced it formerly ). 3 These nations are: the five lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites and the Sidonians and the Hivites who lived in Mount Lebanon , from Mount Baal-hermon as far as Lebo-hamath . 4 They were for testing Israel , to find out if they would obey the commandments of the Lord , which He had commanded their fathers through Moses .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 3:1-4
Commentary on Judges 3:1-7
(Read Judges 3:1-7)
As the Israelites were a type of the church on earth, they were not to be idle and slothful. The Lord was pleased to try them by the remains of the devoted nations they spared. Temptations and trials detect the wickedness of the hearts of sinners; and strengthen he graces of believers in their daily conflict with Satan, sin, and this evil world. They must live in this world, but they are not of it, and are forbidden to conform to it. This marks the difference between the followers of Christ and mere professors. The friendship of the world is more fatal than its enmity; the latter can only kill the body, but the former murders many precious souls.