Midrasch zu Jehoschua 7:18

Some are mentioned for praise, and others are referred to in scorn. One person mentioned in praise is found in the verse And with him was Oholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan (Exod. 38:23). It praises him, his mother, his family, and the tribe of Dan, from which he descended. One referred to in scorn is found in the verse And his mother’s name was Shelomith the daughter of Dibri of the tribe of Dan (Lev. 24:11). He was a disgrace to himself and is a disgrace to his mother, his family, and the tribe from which he descended.⁸The grandson of Dibri, who had been raped by an Egyptian, he blasphemed and cursed God. See Lev. 24:11. An illustration of one who is mentioned for ridicule is in the verse Akhan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah of the tribe of Judah (Josh. 7:1). This ridicules him,⁹Stoned to death at Jericho for his theft despite Joshua’s order to the Israelites not to take “devoted things.” He confessed his sin. his mother, his family, and the tribe from which he descended.

Joshua went and rent his garments, and fell upon his face to the ground before the Ark of the Covenant of God, and he sought (to effect) repentance, and the Holy One, blessed be He, was appeased by him, and He said to him: Joshua ! Israel has trespassed the sin of trespass in the matter of the devoted things, as it is said, "Israel hath sinned" (Josh. 7:11). Joshua gazed at the twelve || stones which were upon the High Priest, which correspond to the twelve tribes. Every tribe that had done some transgression, the light (of its stone) became dim, and he saw the stone of the tribe of Judah, the light of which became dim. And he knew that the tribe of Judah had transgressed in the matter of the devoted thing. He cast lots, and Achan was taken, as it is said, "And he brought near his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, was taken" (Josh. 7:18). Joshua took Achan, the son of Zerach, with the silver and the mantle and the tongue of gold, and his sons and his daughters, and all that he had, and he brought them up into the valley of Achor. And it is written, "The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers" (Deut. 24:16). But because they were cognizant of the matter, and did not report it, he stoned them and burnt them. If there was a burning, why (was there) a stoning, and if a stoning, why a burning? But the stoning was because they knew of the matter and did not report it; burning (was inflicted) because thirty-six righteous men died through him, as it is said, "And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men" (Josh. 7:5).

Know thou the power of the ban. Come and see from (the story of) Saul, the son of Kish, who decreed that all people, both young and old, should fast, as it is said, "Cursed be the man that eateth any food until it be evening" (1 Sam. 14:24). Jonathan did not hear (of this), and ate a little honey, and his eyes were enlightened, as it is said, "And his eyes were enlightened" (1 Sam. 14:27). Saul saw the Philistines returning against Israel, and he knew that Israel had trespassed in the matter of the ban. He looked at the twelve stones; for each tribe which performed one of the precepts had its stone || (on the High Priest's breast-plate) shining with its light, and each tribe which transgressed, the light of its stone was dim. He knew that the tribe of Benjamin had trespassed in the matter of the ban. He cast lots concerning Benjamin, and Saul and Jonathan were taken, as it is said, "And Jonathan and Saul were taken" (1 Sam. 14:41). Saul took his sword to slay his son, as it is said, "God do so, and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan" (1 Sam. 14:44). The people said to him: Our lord king ! It is an error. They brought on his behalf a sacrifice of a burnt offering for his error, and He was entreated of him, and they saved him from an evil death, as it is said, "So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not" (1 Sam. 14:45).