What does 1 Kings 15:14 Mean?

Study Notes

high places
Cf. 2 Chronicles 14:3 . It appears that local sacrifices to Jehovah (though not according to the divine order) were offered in the times of the kings upon "high places" (cf) 1 Samuel 9:12 . Apparently Asa's mother had defiled one of these with an idol, 1 Kings 15:13 . Asa destroyed the idol and the idolatrous (but not the Jehovistic) "high places." But see "high places," .

Cf. Leviticus 26:30 ; Deuteronomy 12:11-14 . The use of commanding elevations for altars seems to have been immemorial and universal. In itself the practice was not evil; Genesis 12:7 ; Genesis 12:8 ; Genesis 22:2-4 ; Genesis 31:54 ; Judges 6:25 ; Judges 6:26 ; Judges 13:16-23 . After the establishment of Mount Moriah and the temple as the centre of divine worship; Deuteronomy 12:5 ; 2 Chronicles 7:12 the pentateuchal prohibition of the use of high places Deuteronomy 12:11-14 which had looked forward to the setting up of such a centre, came into effect, and high places became identified with idolatrous practices. The constant recurrence to the use of high places, even for Jehovistic worship (See Scofield " 1 Kings 15:14 ") and after the building of the temple, proves how deeply rooted the custom was.

See 2 Kings 18:4-22 ; 2 Kings 23:1-37 ; 2 Chronicles 33:3 ; 2 Chronicles 33:17 ; 2 Chronicles 33:19 Note below refers to "Groves." (See Scofield " Judges 3:7 ") .

Context Summary

Again we meet with those references to David that we found in the previous chapter. See 1 Kings 15:3-5; 1 Kings 15:11. His name lingers as sweet fragrance in the air, or as the after-glow of sundown. But Abijam's mother was descended from Absalom, and it is hardly surprising that the unhappy ancestry conflicted with the other and holier influence. Though the lamp burned low, however, it was not entirely extinguished. What a pathetic touch that is in 1 Kings 15:5! One moment of passion may be a long regret to God and to the soul! Yet there is forgiveness with God, that He may be feared, Psalms 130:4.

For Asa's reign, we must turn to the book of Chronicles, where further evidence is given of his truly religious character-at least during the earlier portion of his rule. Even his grandmother was removed from her position. Compare 1 Kings 15:2; 1 Kings 10:1-29; the words father and mother are used loosely, as may be seen in 1 Kings 15:3. On the whole, Asa's policy was directed to the overthrow of the heathen worship, but he seems to have shrunk from a root-and-branch extermination of the evil, 1 Kings 15:14; and the result was personal deterioration and the springing up again of idolatry. Our Lord asks us never to compromise. The right hand that offends must be cut off. The brood of the viper must be stamped out to the last egg. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Kings 15

¹  Abijam's wicked reign
⁷  Asa succeeds him
⁹  Asa's good reign
¹⁶  The war between Baasha and him causes him to make a league with Ben-Hadad
²³  Jehoshaphat succeeds Asa
²⁵  Nadab's wicked reign
²⁷  Baasha conspiring against him, executes Ahijah's prophecy
³¹  Nadab's acts and death
³³  Baasha's wicked reign