This was the reason that he spoke encouragingly to them. Alternate translation: "because they understood the service of Yahweh" or "because they served Yahweh skillfully" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]])
Possible meanings are 1) "confession" here refers to saying that God is great. Alternate translation: "praising Yahweh" or 2) "confession" here refers to admitting their sins. Alternate translation: "confessing their sins to Yahweh"