This and the next two verses describe the miserable plight of the land under Canaanite rule. The state of war disrupted travel and commerce to the extent that the highways were unused and those who had to travel were forced to use unfrequented paths through the countryside. This suspension of travel arose from the presence of Canaanite garrisons situated at strategic places along the main roads. From these the Canaanite were able to hinder the movements of the Hebrews, and thus prevent possible guerrilla warfare and, at the same time, disrupt trade and commerce.