Joshua 7:19

“And Joshua said unto Achan, my son, etc.] Treating him in a very humane, affectionate, and respectable manner, though so great a criminal, being a subject of his, and of the same religion and nation: give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, by acknowledging his omniscience, justice, power, truth, and faithfulness; as in his promises so in his threatenings: and make confession unto him; of the sin he had been guilty of; this Joshua might urge, partly for his own good, who might more reasonably expect the forgiveness of his sin: so it is said in the Misnah f110, whoever confesses has a part in the world to come, for so we find concerning Achan, (<060719>Joshua 7:19); and partly for…”

“Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give . . . glory to God--a form of adjuration to tell the truth.”

“Give glory to the Lord - A form of solemn adjuration by which the person addressed was called upon before God to declare the truth. The phrase assumes that the glory of God is always promoted by manifestation of the truth (compare the marginal references). return to 'Top of Page'”

“My son - So he calls him, to shew, that this severe inquisition and sentence did not proceed from any hatred to his person, which he loved as a father doth his son, and as a prince ought to do each of his subjects. The Lord God of Israel - As thou hast highly dishonoured him, now take the blame to thyself, and ascribe unto God the glory of his omniscience in knowing thy sin, of his justice in punishing it in thee, and others for thy sake; of his omnipotency, which was obstructed by thee; and of his kindness and faithfulness to his people, which was eclipsed by thy wickedness; all which will now be evident by thy sin confessed and punished. Joshua 7:20”

“7:19-20 My son: This gentle, compassionate form of address reveals Joshua as a caring leader, sorry for this young man trapped by impulsive greed. Although Joshua and Achan both knew that Achan would die for his crime, Joshua entreated him to repent. Achan responded with a full confession.”

“My son: Ti2 2:25; Tit 2:2; Jam 1:20; Pe1 3:8, Pe1 3:9 give: Sa1 6:5; Isa 13:12; Jer 13:16; Luk 17:18; Joh 9:24; Rev 16:9 make: Num 5:6, Num 5:7; Ch2 30:22, Ch2 33:12, Ch2 33:13; Ezr 10:10, Ezr 10:11; Psa 32:5, Psa 51:3; Pro 28:13; Jer 3:12, Jer 3:13; Dan 9:4; Rom 10:10; Jo1 1:8-10 tell me: Sa1 14:43; Jon 1:8-10 Joshua 7:20”

“When Achan had been discovered to be the criminal, Joshua charged him to give honour and praise to the Lord, and to confess without reserve what he had done. It is not ironically, or with dissimulation, that Joshua addresses him as "my son," but with "sincere paternal regard." (Note: To these remarks Calvin also adds: "This example serves as a lesson to judges, that when punishing crimes they should moderate their rigour, and not lose all the feelings of humanity; and, on the other hand, that whilst merciful they should not be careless or remiss.") "Give glory to the Lord:" this is a solemn formula of adjuration, by which a person was summoned to confess the truth before the face of God (cf.…”