25. — troubled] Joshua, by the Hebrew word Achar, which signifies "to trouble," alludes to the name of Achan: from henceforward they called him Achar, the troubler of Israel. Bp. Patrick. Joshua, that true captain and faithful judge, made petition in his anguish and distress to Almighty God to shew him the cause of His wrath towards him, when his army was smitten and plagued. He obtained his prayer, and learnt that for one man's fault all the rest were punished. For the covetousness of Achan, who hid his money, as he thought, from God, many thousands were in agony, and fear of death. As soon as Joshua knew it, he straightway purged his army, and took away "the evil thing out of Israel," that is, wickedness from the people. For he called Achan before the people, and said, "Give glory to God, and make confession unto Him;" and forthwith he told the truth, and then he and his whole house suffered death. A godly ensample this, for all magistrates to follow. Joshua was the pattern of a true judge; he was no gift-taker, he was no winker; he was no by-walker. Bp. Latimer. The history of the foregoing chapter furnishes us with several useful reflections. 1st, In Achan, who, contrary to the most express prohibition, took of the accursed or devoted thing, we have an instance of the fatal effects of the love of riches, and a proof that nothing is sacred to those who are slaves to this passion. 2dly, The defeat of the children of Israel before Ai, occasioned by Achan's sacrilege, proves that the sin of one man may bring down the curse of God upon the publick, and that injustice and sacrilege deprive men of the Divine protection. 3dly, The wonderful manner of discovering Achan by lot must needs have filled the people with dread, and proves that no sin can escape the knowledge and the vengeance of the Almighty. 4thly, The tragical end of Achan shews that ill gotten wealth is never long possessed, and that a curse attends the sacrilegious and unjust. 5thly, This instance of severity must Before CHRIST 1451. poored. God encouraged Joshua. Ai is taken by stratagem. Before CHRIST 1661. ¶ That is, trouble. 25. — were twelve thousand.] The men of Beth-el seem to be included in this number, agreeably to the report of the spies, chap. vii. 3. The folly of these people in attempting with so small a number to oppose the Israelites, is hence more apparent: the Deity in His wisdom commanded that the Israelites should subdue them, not by force, but by stratagem, in order to make 29. — the king of Ai he hanged &c.] Being the head of a very wicked people, he was fit to be made a publick spectacle of God's displeasure. Bp. Patrick.