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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For because ye did it not at the first {H7223}, the LORD {H3068} our God {H430} made a breach {H6555} upon us, for that we sought {H1875} him not after the due order {H4941}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It's because you weren't there the first time that ADONAI our God broke out against us. We didn't seek him out according to the rule."

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 15:13 captures King David's profound confession and theological insight regarding the disastrous first attempt to transport the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. He attributes the "breach"—specifically the death of Uzzah—not to arbitrary divine wrath, but to their collective failure to approach God according to His explicit instructions. This verse underscores the critical importance of divine order, obedience, and reverence in all matters pertaining to God's holy presence and worship, serving as a pivotal moment of national repentance and re-education in Israel's history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is spoken by King David to the Levites and priests, recorded in the midst of Israel's second, successful attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. It immediately follows the detailed preparations for this sacred undertaking, including the sanctification of the Levites and the careful arrangement for carrying the Ark on poles, as prescribed by Mosaic law. The verse directly references the tragic events of [1 Chronicles 13](/1_chronicles/13 "1 Chronicles 13 - The First Attempt to Bring the Ark"), where Uzzah was struck down for touching the Ark when it was transported improperly on a new cart. David's words here serve as a retrospective explanation and a solemn warning, ensuring that the mistakes of the past are understood and not repeated. It marks a crucial turning point from presumption to humble obedience, setting the tone for the proper establishment of worship in Jerusalem.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred object in ancient Israel, representing God's throne and His tangible presence among His people. Its handling was governed by strict Mosaic laws, particularly those found in [Numbers 4](/numbers/4 "Numbers 4 - Duties of the Levites") and [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle and Ark"). These laws explicitly stated that the Ark was to be carried by the Kohathite Levites using poles inserted through rings, never to be touched directly, and never transported on a cart. The first attempt, influenced by Philistine methods (as seen in [1 Samuel 6](/1_samuel/6 "1 Samuel 6 - The Ark Returned by the Philistines")), disregarded these divine commands. David's statement in 1 Chronicles 15:13 reflects a renewed commitment to covenant fidelity and a recognition that God's holiness demanded adherence to His specific, revealed will, not human innovation or convenience.

* **Key Themes:** The primary themes embedded in this verse are **divine holiness and its demands**, **the consequences of disobedience**, and **the necessity of seeking God according to His revealed will**. God's holiness is not merely an abstract concept but a powerful reality that requires a specific, reverent approach, as evidenced by the "breach" that occurred when His commands were violated. The death of Uzzah served as a stark, undeniable demonstration that good intentions do not supersede divine instruction, highlighting the severe consequences of neglecting God's established ways. David's confession also introduces the theme of **learning from error and national repentance**, showcasing a leader who humbles himself and leads his people back to the "due order" of God's covenant, ensuring that future worship and service are aligned with divine truth, as seen in the joyous and orderly procession described in [1 Chronicles 15:25-28](/1_chronicles/15-25-28 "1 Chronicles 15:25-28 - The Ark Brought to Jerusalem").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Breach (Hebrew, _perets'_):** This word (פרץ) signifies "a breaking forth," "a bursting out," or "a breach." In this context, it refers to God's sudden, forceful, and destructive intervention or judgment. It is not merely an accident but a divine act, highlighting the severity of God's displeasure and the immediate, fatal consequences of violating His sacred commands regarding the Ark. It emphasizes the active nature of God's response to their disobedience.
* **Due order (Hebrew, _mishpat'_):** This term (משפט) means "judgment," "custom," "ordinance," or "rule." When used with the preposition "after the," it implies "according to the established rule" or "in the proper manner." It refers to the specific, divinely prescribed protocol for handling and transporting the Ark, which involved the Levites carrying it on poles, as detailed in the Law of Moses. David's confession acknowledges that their failure was not merely a procedural oversight but a profound neglect of God's revealed will and established order.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For because ye [did it] not at the first":** This clause directly refers to the initial, failed attempt to transport the Ark, described in [1 Chronicles 13](/1_chronicles/13 "1 Chronicles 13 - The First Attempt to Move the Ark"). It highlights that the subsequent divine judgment was a direct consequence of their prior actions—or rather, their lack of adherence to God's prescribed method. David, as the leader, takes corporate responsibility for this omission.
* **"the LORD our God made a breach upon us":** This is the core statement of divine judgment. The "breach" (referring to Uzzah's death) is explicitly attributed to "the LORD our God," emphasizing that it was a sovereign act of God, not an accident or a random misfortune. It underscores God's active involvement in upholding His holiness and the sanctity of His commands. The phrase "upon us" indicates a corporate judgment, affecting the entire community, even though Uzzah was the immediate casualty.
* **"for that we sought him not after the due order":** This final clause provides the precise reason for the "breach." The failure was not a lack of zeal or good intention, but a failure to "seek Him" (meaning to approach Him, to serve Him, to worship Him) "after the due order"—that is, according to His specific, revealed instructions. This reveals David's profound theological understanding: God's holiness dictates the terms of engagement, and human innovation or convenience cannot override divine command.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Causality** is central, as David explicitly links the "breach" (effect) to their failure to "seek Him not after the due order" (cause), establishing a clear theological principle of divine consequence for disobedience. The phrase "made a breach upon us" functions as a **euphemism** for the death of Uzzah, yet it powerfully conveys the sudden, destructive nature of God's judgment. The verse also serves as a moment of **confession** and **didacticism**, as David, the leader, openly acknowledges collective sin and uses the past failure as a teaching moment for the Levites and priests, ensuring that the correct procedures for approaching God are now understood and followed. This public declaration reinforces the absolute necessity of obedience to God's revealed will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the biblical principle that God's holiness demands a specific, reverent approach. It teaches that while God is gracious and desires to dwell among His people, His nature as the holy and righteous sovereign means He cannot be approached casually or on human terms. The "breach" serves as a stark reminder that disobedience to God's revealed will, even when seemingly well-intentioned, carries severe consequences because it dishonors His character and undermines His authority. This incident, and David's understanding of it, laid a crucial foundation for proper worship in Israel, emphasizing that true service to God must always be in humble submission to His commands, rather than relying on human wisdom or convenience.

* [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1-2 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unauthorized Fire")
* [Numbers 4:15](/numbers/4-15 "Numbers 4:15 - Instructions for Carrying the Ark")
* [Deuteronomy 12:32](/deuteronomy/12-32 "Deuteronomy 12:32 - Do Not Add or Subtract from God's Word")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Chronicles 15:13 offers timeless lessons for believers today, transcending the specific ceremonial laws of the Old Covenant to reveal enduring principles about God's character and our relationship with Him. It challenges any casual or presumptuous approach to God, reminding us that reverence, humility, and obedience to His revealed will remain paramount. While we no longer transport a physical Ark, the principle of seeking God "after the due order" translates to living according to His moral commands, worshipping Him in spirit and truth, and relying on the finished work of Christ for our access. This verse calls us to examine our own lives: are we approaching God on His terms, as revealed in Scripture, or are we inadvertently creating our own "due order" based on personal preference, cultural norms, or convenience? Learning from past failures, both personal and corporate, and humbly correcting our course according to God's instruction is essential for spiritual growth, fruitful service, and avoiding unnecessary "breaches" in our walk with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's confession in this verse challenge our modern tendencies to prioritize convenience or good intentions over explicit divine commands?**
* **In what areas of our lives—personal devotion, church practice, ethical decisions—might we be tempted to "seek God not after the due order"?**
* **What does David's response to failure teach us about humility, repentance, and leadership in the face of divine discipline?**

### FAQ
**What was the "breach" mentioned in this verse?**
Answer: The "breach" (Hebrew _perets_) refers specifically to the sudden divine judgment that resulted in the death of Uzzah, as recorded in [1 Chronicles 13:9-10](/1_chronicles/13-9-10 "1 Chronicles 13:9-10 - Uzzah's Death"). Uzzah was struck down by God for touching the Ark of the Covenant, an act forbidden by divine law, when the Ark was being transported improperly on a new cart instead of being carried by Levites using poles.

**What was the "due order" for transporting the Ark of the Covenant?**
Answer: The "due order" refers to the specific, divinely prescribed method for handling and transporting the Ark, as detailed in the Mosaic Law. According to [Numbers 4:15](/numbers/4-15 "Numbers 4:15 - Instructions for Carrying the Ark") and [Exodus 25:14](/exodus/25-14 "Exodus 25:14 - Design of the Ark's Poles"), the Ark was to be carried on the shoulders of the Kohathite Levites using poles inserted through rings permanently attached to its sides. It was never to be touched directly or transported by any other means, such as on a cart.

**Does this verse mean God still "makes breaches" or inflicts immediate physical judgment today for disobedience?**
Answer: While the specific, immediate physical judgments seen in the Old Testament (like Uzzah's death or Nadab and Abihu's in [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1-2 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unauthorized Fire")) were part of the Old Covenant's administration of God's holiness, the New Covenant operates under different principles, primarily grace and the indwelling Holy Spirit. God's character as holy and just remains unchanged, and disobedience still carries consequences (e.g., spiritual barrenness, loss of fellowship, divine discipline), but the nature of those consequences has shifted from immediate physical death to spiritual and relational repercussions. The underlying principle, however, remains: God's holiness demands reverence and obedience, and we must approach Him on His terms, not our own.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 15:13, with its emphasis on approaching God "after the due order," finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. In the Old Covenant, access to God's presence was mediated through specific rituals, objects (like the Ark), and a Levitical priesthood, all governed by strict laws to protect God's holiness and man's impurity. The "breach" served as a terrifying reminder that human beings could not approach a holy God on their own terms. However, Jesus Christ Himself is the new and living "due order" for humanity's access to God. He declared, "[I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")" (John 14:6). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, Christ tore the veil of the temple ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn")), granting believers direct, confident access to God's presence not through ceremonial law or physical objects, but through His blood ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Most Holy Place")). The Ark, once the symbol of God's presence, is superseded by Christ, in whom "the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily" ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of Deity in Christ")). Now, our worship is not about external regulations but about worshipping God "[in spirit and truth](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - True Worshipers")" (John 4:23-24), made possible by the indwelling Holy Spirit, who transforms our very bodies into "temples of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19-20 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, the terrifying "breach" of the Old Covenant gives way to the glorious reconciliation and intimate fellowship offered through Christ, the perfect "due order" for all who seek God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 6:3

And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that [was] in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.

1 Corinthians 14:40

Let all things be done decently and in order.

1 John 1:8

¶ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:10

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 Corinthians 11:2

Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered [them] to you.

Proverbs 28:13

¶ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.

Numbers 4:15

And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear [it]: but they shall not touch [any] holy thing, lest they die. These [things are] the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.