| Clarke's Commentary on the Bible Could not drive out, etc. - They had neither grace nor courage to go against their enemies, and chose rather to share their territories with those whom the justice of God had proscribed, than exert themselves to expel them. But some commentators give a different turn to this expression, and translate the passage thus: But the children of Manasseh could not (resolve) to destroy those cities, but the Canaanites consented to dwell in the land. And as they were willing to pay tribute, and the others chose to tolerate them on those terms, they agreed to dwell together: but this paying of tribute seems not to have taken place till some time after, when the children of Israel were waxen strong, etc.
Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleYet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of these cities,.... Mentioned in Joshua 17:11; they had not strength at first to do it, or either were negligent and slothful, and suffered them to dwell among them, and did not take the advantage they might have done; and afterwards it was too late, they became too strong and numerous for them, at least for a time: but the Canaanites would dwell in the land; whether they would or not.
Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old TestamentThe Manassites were unable to exterminate the Canaanites from these six towns, and the districts round; but when they grew stronger, they made them tributary slaves (cf. Joshua 16:10).
Geneva Study BibleYet the children of Manasseh {g} could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land. (g) For at first they lacked courage, and later agreed with them on condition, contrary to God's commandment.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible CommentaryJos 17:12, 13. Canaanites Not Driven Out. 12, 13. Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out those cities-probably due to indolence, a love of ease. Perhaps a mistaken humanity, arising from a disregard or forgetfulness of the divine command, and a decreasing principle of faith and zeal in the service of God, were the causes of their failure.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary17:7-13 There was great communication between Manasseh and Ephraim. Though each tribe had its inheritance, yet they should intermix one with another, to do good offices one to another, as became those, who, though of different tribes, were all one Israel, and were bound to love as brethren. But they suffered the Canaanites to live among them, against the command of God, to serve their own ends. | 
