Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 15:13
It was because you Levites were not with us the first time that the LORD our God burst forth in anger against us. For we did not consult Him about the proper order.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David addresses the heads of the Levitical families during the second attempt to relocate the ark to Jerusalem. He states that the prior failure occurred because the Levites were excluded and the group neglected to consult God regarding the prescribed procedure.
The words — פָּרַ֨ץ (pa.Ratz) literally means "he burst out," describing God's sudden anger. כִּי (ki) functions as the causal "for," directly linking that anger to their failure to seek divine guidance for the proper order.
The thread — The consequence of ignoring prescribed procedures mirrors the fatal mistake in 2 Samuel 6:3 and aligns with the apostolic command for orderly conduct in 1 Corinthians 14:40.
Why it lands — The text establishes that divine anger follows the neglect of God's specified methods, not merely logistical error. It requires readers to submit to established divine instructions before undertaking any sacred responsibility.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 6:3 They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart,
- 1 Corinthians 14:40 But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.
- 1 Corinthians 11:2 Now I commend you for remembering me in everything and for maintaining the traditions, just as I passed them on to you.
- 1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
- Numbers 4:15 When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their equipment, as soon as the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites shall come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the Tent of Meeting.
- Numbers 7:9 But he did not give any to the Kohathites, since they were to carry on their shoulders the holy objects for which they were responsible.
- Deuteronomy 31:9 So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.
- 2 Samuel 6:7 And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God.
- 1 Chronicles 13:7 So they carried the ark of God from the house of Abinadab on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding the cart.
- 1 Chronicles 15:2 Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.”