According to the author of the book of Joshua, the land was to be divided into seven pieces, and the people were to describe it and bring the information back to Joshua. Then, Joshua would ask God to help decide which group of people would get which piece of the land.
Joshua 18:6: Ye shall therefore describe the land [into] seven parts, and bring [the description] hither to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God.
Joshua 14:2 mentions inheritance by lot, aligning with God's command, which seems consistent rather than contradictory with Joshua 18:6.
Joshua 14:2: By lot [was] their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and [for] the half tribe.