(2 Chronicles 17:6) How is the claim that Jehoshaphat removed high places consistent with other passages stating they persisted under various kings?

Context of Jehoshaphat’s Reign

Jehoshaphat, son of Asa, ruled over the kingdom of Judah following his father’s reforms to curb idolatry (2 Chronicles 14:2–5; 15:17). Scripture places him in a lineage of kings who attempted, at various levels, to align their nation with devotion to the LORD.

Meaning and Significance of High Places

In the Old Testament, “high places” were sites of worship often situated on elevated terrain. While some were used to honor the LORD (before the building and centralization of worship in the Jerusalem temple), many high places became associated with idol worship, Asherah poles, and pagan rites (2 Kings 17:10–11). The command was to centralize worship at the temple in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 12:4–5), making the continuing existence of high places a perpetual concern.

Examining 2 Chronicles 17:6

2 Chronicles 17:6 states, “And his heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.”

This passage highlights an active endeavor by Jehoshaphat to eliminate illegitimate worship by tearing down altars and poles related to pagan practices. It emphasizes his devotion to the LORD and underscores a concerted push for religious reform.

Comparative Passages: High Places Persisting

Passages in both Kings and Chronicles also note the incomplete success of various kings in removing high places.

• 1 Kings 22:43 says of Jehoshaphat, “And he walked in all the ways of his father Asa and did not turn aside from them, doing what was right in the eyes of the LORD. Yet the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.”

• 2 Chronicles 20:33 echoes, “The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their fathers.”

On the surface, these statements appear at odds with 2 Chronicles 17:6. Yet the record in Scripture generally affirms both a sincere effort at reform on Jehoshaphat’s part and a lingering attachment among the populace to older worship sites.

Possible Explanations for the Apparent Contradiction

1. Partial or Regional Removal

It is plausible Jehoshaphat dismantled many high places and Asherah poles, particularly those within his immediate jurisdiction near Jerusalem or in more populous areas of Judah. Meanwhile, remote or rural outposts might have persisted. This understanding reflects a gulf between official policy and the people’s ingrained habits.

2. Temporary Reforms vs. Long-Term Practices

Rulers like Jehoshaphat could remove idols and altars only for them to be restored once official attention waned. Thus, one passage could describe a successful purge at the time he initiated it (2 Chronicles 17:6), while another passage might highlight what eventually reemerged or remained (1 Kings 22:43; 2 Chronicles 20:33).

3. Editorial Emphasis

The book of Chronicles sometimes stresses the pious accomplishments of Judah’s kings. Kings, on the other hand, often gives a more general assessment of a monarch’s reign, drawing attention to persisting national flaws. The difference in focus explains the varied statements regarding these high places—both vantage points detail true events but with distinct purposes.

4. Continual Worship Outside the Temple

Even with devout intentions, national reforms regularly faced opposition from individuals still devoted to traditional or neighboring religious practices. This factor explains why even faithful kings have attached notes of “yet” or “however” in Scripture regarding incomplete reforms.

Historical and Archaeological Perspective

Archaeological findings in regions of ancient Judah show evidence of various local worship sites. Excavations have unearthed religious paraphernalia and cultic objects outside official temple worship contexts, supporting the biblical narrative that many preferred local high places instead of centralized worship. This reliance on local cult centers remained persistent, while royal decrees for removal often had only short-lived effects.

Harmonizing the Accounts

The statements in 2 Chronicles 17:6 and 2 Chronicles 20:33 can be reconciled by recognizing that Jehoshaphat did actively remove many high places, especially those directly linked to idols. Nevertheless, pockets of high places remained or reemerged, either because they were not completely eradicated or because the populace rebuilt them. The author of 2 Chronicles highlights Jehoshaphat’s faithful zeal and initial reforms, while subsequent verses and the account in 1 Kings portray the enduring presence of unauthorized worship throughout the land.

Conclusion

When comparing 2 Chronicles 17:6 with other references, the key is to recognize the cultural complexity of idolatry in Judah and the intermittent success of reforming kings. Jehoshaphat worked to remove high places, yet these structures and the associated practices persisted in certain areas over time. Rather than a contradiction, the biblical text corroborates a realistic narrative: sincere kings often instituted reforms, but entrenched customs and spiritual inconsistency among the people made lasting change more complicated.