Why did the Israelites offer sacrifices "on the high places" in 1 Kings 3:2? Setting the Scene—1 Kings 3:2 in Its Context “The people, however, were still sacrificing on the high places, because to that time no house had been built for the Name of the LORD.” (1 Kings 3:2) What Were “High Places”? • Natural elevations or man-made mounds where altars and shrines stood • Common throughout Canaan long before Israel arrived (Numbers 33:52) • After the conquest, many of these locations remained and were adapted for Israelite worship Why Did Israel Use Them at This Moment? • No permanent Temple yet – Solomon had just begun his reign; construction would not start until 1 Kings 6:1. • Tabernacle separated from the ark – The tabernacle and bronze altar were at Gibeon (2 Chronicles 1:3–6), while the ark rested in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:17). With worship furniture divided, people defaulted to nearby heights. • Historical habit – From Abraham onward, patriarchs built altars wherever God met them (Genesis 12:7–8; 22:2–13). Those precedents made local sacrifice feel normal until God’s chosen place was established. • Convenience for the tribes – Elevations dotted the land, making worship accessible when travel to Gibeon or Jerusalem was impractical. • Transitional allowance by God – Though Deuteronomy 12 anticipated a single sanctuary, the Lord tolerated high-place worship until that command could be fully implemented (cf. Acts 17:30 for another example of divine forbearance). God’s Clear Standard Was Still Centralized Worship “Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose… There you shall bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (Deuteronomy 12:5–6) Once the Temple went up, high places became illegitimate. Kings such as Asa, Hezekiah, and Josiah were commended for tearing them down (1 Kings 15:14; 2 Kings 18:4; 23:8–9). From Tolerated to Forbidden—The Turning Point • Temple completed – “Then Solomon assembled the elders… that they might bring up the ark… into the Temple.” (1 Kings 8:1, 6) • Divine glory filled the new house – 1 Kings 8:10–11 • High-place sacrifices now disobedient – Continuing them implied a divided heart and opened the door to idolatry (1 Kings 11:7–8). Key Takeaways for Us • God sometimes permits transitional practices while moving His people toward fuller obedience. • External convenience never trumps God’s revealed pattern once that pattern is clear. • Centralized worship around God’s chosen dwelling foreshadows the singular sufficiency of Christ, the true meeting place between God and humanity (John 2:19–21; Hebrews 9:8–12). |
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