1 Chronicles 15 13

1 Chronicles 15:13 kjv

For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.

1 Chronicles 15:13 nkjv

For because you did not do it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order."

1 Chronicles 15:13 niv

It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the LORD our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way."

1 Chronicles 15:13 esv

Because you did not carry it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule."

1 Chronicles 15:13 nlt

Because you Levites did not carry the Ark the first time, the anger of the LORD our God burst out against us. We failed to ask God how to move it properly."

1 Chronicles 15 verses

1 Chronicles 15 13 Meaning

1 Chronicles 15:13 explains David's understanding of the previous failed attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and the reason for Uzzah's death. It acknowledges that the Lord, their God, had "broke out" or "made a breach" against them because they did not follow the proper divine order for transporting the sacred Ark, as specified by God through Moses. David is instructing the Levites that their previous exclusion from this duty led to disobedience and a consequential divine judgment, underscoring the vital importance of strict adherence to God's instructions in worship and service.

1 Chronicles 15 13 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 15 records David's second, successful attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant from the house of Obed-Edom to Jerusalem. This endeavor followed the disastrous first attempt (recounted in 1 Chronicles 13 and 2 Samuel 6) where Uzzah, a non-Levite, touched the Ark and was struck dead by God. David, upon recognizing the previous error, halted the transfer and the Ark remained in the house of Obed-Edom for three months. Chapter 15 details David's careful preparations: he built proper dwelling for the Ark, consulted with priests and Levites, and explicitly commanded them to sanctify themselves and carry the Ark "as the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded" (v.12). Verse 13 specifically serves as David's crucial explanation to the Levites, identifying the previous failure as a direct consequence of their collective neglect in following the prescribed Levitical procedures for the Ark's transport. It is a moment of reflection, repentance, and re-education, underscoring the profound respect and precise obedience due to God and His holy ordinances.

1 Chronicles 15 13 Word analysis

• Because (כִּי - kî): This conjunction serves as a causal link, providing the reason for the previous judgment. It emphasizes the direct relationship between their negligence and the divine "breaking out."
• you were not (לֹא הֱיִיתֶם - lōʾ hayîtèm): The negative particle combined with the verb "to be." It indicates an absence or failure to act correctly. The "you" refers to the priests and Levites, who were specifically tasked by God with handling the Ark, but were not involved in the initial transport effort.
• with us (עִמָּנוּ - ʿimmānû): Refers to David and the broader Israelite leadership and community who undertook the first transport without involving the specially consecrated Levites for this specific duty.
• the first time (בַּתְּחִלָּה - battĕḥillâ): Points directly to the initial attempt to move the Ark as described in 1 Chronicles 13. This specific detail highlights that the mistake was an issue of neglecting foundational, long-established divine instructions.
• therefore the Lord our God (וַיהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ - waYehwâ ʾĔlōhênû): "The Lord" (Yahweh, YHWH) emphasizes God's covenant name and His authority, while "our God" acknowledges His special relationship with Israel. The phrase connects His divine character directly to the ensuing action.
• broke out (פָּרַץ - pāraṣ): The root verb carries the sense of "to burst forth," "to break through," "to breach," often implying a sudden and forceful action. In this context, it describes God's direct, punitive intervention. This is also seen in 1 Chron 13:11, where the place was named "Perez Uzzah" (breach of Uzzah).
• against us (בָּנוּ - bānû): Indicates that God's forceful action was directed against the people, not indiscriminately, but as a consequence of their specific error. It shows the corporate nature of the previous divine judgment.
• for that (כִּי לֹא - kî lōʾ): Another causal "because not." It further elaborates the specific nature of their failure – it wasn't just who wasn't involved, but how the matter was handled.
• we did not seek him (דָרַשְׁנוּהוּ - dārašānûhû): The verb darash (דָרַשׁ) means "to seek," "to inquire," "to investigate," "to diligently pursue." Here, it means to seek His will, His instructions, or His proper way. The suffix "hu" (-הוּ) means "Him." It signifies a failure to properly consult or understand God's divine will regarding the Ark's transportation.
• according to the rule/proper order (כַּמִּשְׁפָּט - kammišpāṭ): The word mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט) generally means "judgment," "justice," "ordinance," "rule," or "custom." Here, it specifically refers to the prescribed, lawful, and established divine ordinance concerning the Ark's handling, as detailed in the Law of Moses (e.g., Numbers 4). It implies that there was a divinely revealed protocol which they neglected.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Because you were not with us the first time": This phrase highlights David's realization that the fundamental error in the previous attempt was the exclusion of the Levites, who were specifically consecrated for this holy task (Num 4:15; Deut 10:8). It was not just David's personal failure, but a collective one involving the oversight of specific divine assignments.
• "the Lord our God broke out against us": This underscores God's active involvement in the consequence. It wasn't an accident but a direct, punitive action from a holy God against disobedience, serving as a powerful lesson for revering His commands. The phrase uses the familiar, relational "our God," which makes the "breaking out" even more poignant – a loving God disciplines His own people for their good.
• "because we did not seek Him according to the rule": This second causal clause defines the nature of the neglect. "Seeking Him" in this context is about diligently consulting and adhering to His specific laws for the sacred Ark's handling. The phrase "according to the rule" emphasizes that God has provided clear, detailed instructions for worshipping and serving Him, and that departing from these, even with good intentions, incurs His holy displeasure. This phrase captures the core lesson: God desires obedience to His revealed will, not human innovation in divine matters.

1 Chronicles 15 13 Bonus section

The experience of Uzzah and the lessons from 1 Chronicles 15:13 highlight the principle that good intentions are insufficient when God has provided specific instructions for approaching Him or serving in His holy presence. David, despite his zeal, initially adopted a method (oxcart) that mirrored pagan practices (cf. 1 Sam 6:7-8 regarding the Philistines returning the Ark) rather than the meticulously prescribed Levitical ordinances found in the Mosaic Law. This demonstrated a lack of careful seeking and adherence to Torah. The Lord's holiness demands reverent, precise obedience, particularly concerning His symbols of presence and acts of worship. This Old Testament event finds resonance in the New Testament concept of worshipping "in spirit and truth" (Jn 4:24), which includes a faithful adherence to the principles God has revealed for how He desires to be approached. The tragedy serves as an eternal warning against presumption in spiritual matters, stressing that human ingenuity must always yield to divine prescription in divine service.

1 Chronicles 15 13 Commentary

1 Chronicles 15:13 is a pivotal verse that encapsulates a crucial lesson about obedience and the nature of worship. Following the tragic death of Uzzah in 1 Chronicles 13, David had a moment of profound introspection. This verse articulates his revelation: the disaster was not arbitrary, but a direct consequence of their collective failure to "seek God according to the rule" concerning the handling of the Ark. The phrase "broke out against us" vividly describes God's immediate and forceful response to unholy conduct, underscoring His holiness and the serious consequences of treating sacred things irreverently. David’s acknowledgment, "you were not with us the first time," refers to the Levites, who, by God’s design, were the only ones authorized to carry the Ark with poles on their shoulders. The previous use of an oxcart, a Philistine method, bypassed these divine instructions, reflecting a lack of diligent inquiry into God's revealed will. This verse is a powerful reminder that sincerity of intention does not negate the necessity of obedience to God's precise commands in matters of worship and service. It demonstrates David’s growth in spiritual understanding, shifting from zealous but misguided effort to a humble submission to divine protocol. This incident is not about God being harsh, but about upholding His own perfect standards and the seriousness with which He expects His people to approach His holy presence and commands. It calls all believers to diligent study of His Word and obedient application of its truths in every aspect of life, especially in worship.