1 Chronicles 15:13

13 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 in Other Translations

13 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.

13 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."

13 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.”

13 The first time we did this, you Levites did not carry it properly, and God exploded in anger at us because we didn't make proper preparation and follow instructions."

13 For because ye [bare it] not at the first, Jehovah our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not according to the ordinance.

13 Because you weren't there the first time, the LORD our God struck us. We hadn't dedicated our lives to serving him in the way [he] designated."

13 For the Lord our God burst out [in anger] against us because you Levites were not [with] us the first time, for we didn't inquire of Him about the proper procedures."

13 "Remember when the anger of the LORD our God broke out against us? It was because you Levites didn't bring the ark up the first time. We didn't ask the LORD how to do it in the way the law requires."

1 Chronicles 15:13 Meaning and Commentary

1 Chronicles 15:13

For because ye did it not at the first
Did not sanctify themselves, as the supplement in our version directs; but rather the sense is, ye were not there at first, when the ark was brought from Kirjathjearim as far as the house of Obededom, as they should have been; they were not then employed, as was their business, and therefore

the Lord our God made a breach upon us;
by smiting Uzzah with death, who was no Levite, and touched the ark, which is called his "error", and for which God smote him, ( 2 Samuel 6:7 ) on which place Lud. Capellus observes, the word "shal", we there render "error", signifies a "disease" in the Arabic language, and might formerly design a sudden one with the Hebrew; as an apoplexy; and so the sense be, that God smote Uzzah with an apoplexy, of which he suddenly died:

for that we sought him not after the due order;
but, instead of employing the Levites to carry the ark on their shoulders, it was put upon a cart.

1 Chronicles 15:13 In-Context

11 Then David summoned Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab the Levites.

12 He said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families; you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate yourselves and bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it.

13 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.”

14 So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel.

15 And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the LORD.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Kings 8:4
• 2. 2 Samuel 6:3; S 1 Chronicles 13:7-10
• 3. S Leviticus 5:10