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.”
Parallel translations
- WEB For because you didn’t carry it at first, Yahweh our God broke out in anger against us, because we didn’t seek him according to the ordinance.”
- 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.
- 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.”
- NASB Because you did not carry it at the first, the Lord our God made an outburst against us, since we did not seek Him according to the ordinance.”
- 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.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David explained that the earlier disaster came because they did not carry the ark properly or seek God according to His ordinance. He openly names obedience as the missing element before.
Overview
David candidly identifies the cause of Uzza's death: the ark had not been carried by the Levites as prescribed, and they had not sought God 'according to the ordinance.' This frank confession turns the tragedy into instruction, teaching that God's anger arose from disregarding His revealed way of worship. The verse crystallizes the chapter's lesson: God must be approached on His own terms, with reverent obedience.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- 2 Sam 6:3They 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 Cor 14:40But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.
- 1 Cor 11:2Now I commend you for remembering me in everything and for maintaining the traditions, just as I passed them on to you.
- 1 Jn 1:8–10If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
- Prov 28:13He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
- Num 7:9But he did not give any to the Kohathites, since they were to carry on their shoulders the holy objects for which they were responsible.
- Num 4:15When 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.
- Deut 31:9So 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.
- 1 Chr 13:7–11So they carried the ark of God from the house of Abinadab on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding the cart.
- 2 Sam 6:7–8And 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 Chr 15:2Then 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.”
- 2 Chr 30:17–20Since there were many in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves, the Levites were in charge of slaughtering the Passover lambs for every unclean person to consecrate the lambs to the LORD.
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The genealogies and the everlasting covenant with David trace the single thread of promise running through the generations straight to the Christ in whom the line reaches its goal.
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Original language
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