But though the power of the Canaanites had been broken, they had not been fully dispossessed. On the west the Philistines still held a fertile plain along the seacoast, while north of them was the territory of the Sidonians. Lebanon also was in the possession of the latter people; and to the south, toward Egypt, the land was still occupied by the enemies of Israel.

Selv om kanaanæernes magt var blevet knækket, var de ikke blevet fordrevet. Mod vest havde filisterne endnu en frugtbar slette langs havet, og nord herfor boede sidonierne. Libanon var også i dette folks besiddelse, og landet mod syd, i retning af Ægypten, var stadig i Israels fjenders hånd.