JOSHUA 7

20 And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against Yahweh Elohim of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:

A man's uniform good conduct, or his generally or exceptionally estimable character, is always a recommendation to mercy and leniency even in human courts; much more so in divine judgments. ... of Achan's repentance, we have no more evidence than in the admission or confession of a prisoner at the bar, that he is guilty.

The Christadelphian, Apr 1889

24 And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.

It is significant that the phrase "Joshua, and all Israel" occurs twice (Vv.23-24), and the words "all Israel" occur again in v.25. This was a national rejection of sin, and its effects. The judgment required by the Law was about to be carried out (Deut. 17:2-7).

Achan and his family, and all their possessions, were brought to the valley of Achor — a place which must have been considered fitting, since its name means "Trouble". The name may have been given subsequent to these events. Sin brings trouble. And 

"the wages of sin is death . . ." (Rom. 6:23).