שופטים, פרק א׳, פסוק ל״ו

Allowing the local nations to remain in the land and accepting their presence marks the lowest point of the conquest. This failure ultimately results in the drawing of a permanent border between the Israelites and the native inhabitants. The survival of the Amorite territory is a direct consequence of the tribes failing to drive out the local populations. Specifically, the house of Joseph was unable to expel the Amorites from their land, choosing instead to force them to pay taxes [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. As a result, the Amorite territory remained completely intact, stretching upward from the Ascent of Akrabbim and the Rock [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Establishing this border carries a severe meaning that goes far beyond geography. It reflects a new reality in which two nations have made a treaty and defined agreed-upon borders for their lands [מלבי״ם]. This behavior stood in absolute violation of God's command and serves as a vital introduction to understanding the sins of the Israelites during this period. While the tribes of Judah and Joseph initially enjoyed military success and received God's help when they fought properly, the remaining tribes rebelled against the divine instruction.

By choosing to forge treaties with the local nations rather than driving them out, the Israelites turned these groups into a permanent obstacle. This grim reality of peacefully accepting the Amorite borders sparked God's anger. It directly sets the stage for the arrival of God's angel, who comes to rebuke the people for their actions and announce the tragedies that will follow as a result [אברבנאל, מלבי״ם].