Did Israel destroy the Canaanites as God instructed in the time of the Judges?
No, Israel did not destroy the Canaanites as God instructed during the period of the Judges. They occupied the land but became soft-hearted, used the Canaanite people for servants, and left off destroying them. As God had promised, this resulted in Israel being drawn into idolatry.
Les explains that during the period of the Judges, spanning roughly 300 to 400 years—twice as long as America has been a nation—Israel occupied the land of Canaan but did not destroy the Canaanite people as God had instructed. Instead, they became soft-hearted and thought they could use these people for servants, so they left off destroying them. As God had promised, the Canaanites influenced Israel and took them into idolatry. Les notes this is hard to comprehend because Israel had the manifestation and miracle-working power of Jehovah in their midst, yet turned to pagan idols. Their history in Judges was a roller coaster, reaching spiritual heights under a good judge who ruled under God in a God-centered government.