Topical Bible: High Places: Not Removed: Jotham

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In the context of ancient Israel, "high places" were sites of worship located on elevated ground. These locations were often used for the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel, as well as for the worship of foreign deities, which was contrary to the commands given by God through Moses. The presence and persistence of high places in Israel and Judah were a recurring issue throughout the history of the divided kingdoms.

Jotham, the son of Uzziah (also known as Azariah), reigned as king of Judah following his father's reign. His rule is noted in the biblical narrative for his generally righteous conduct and his efforts to fortify the kingdom. However, despite his personal piety and the reforms he implemented, Jotham did not remove the high places from Judah.

The account of Jotham's reign is found in 2 Kings 15:32-38 and 2 Chronicles 27:1-9. In 2 Kings 15:34-35 , it is recorded: "And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done. Nevertheless, the high places were not removed; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there." This passage highlights the dichotomy between Jotham's personal righteousness and the incomplete religious reforms during his reign.

Jotham's failure to remove the high places is significant in the biblical narrative as it reflects a broader pattern among the kings of Judah. While many kings were commended for their personal faithfulness and adherence to the covenant, the persistence of high places indicated a lingering syncretism and incomplete devotion among the people. The high places were often associated with idolatrous practices, which were strictly forbidden by the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 12:2-4).

The reign of Jotham, therefore, serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the kings of Judah in leading the nation in covenant faithfulness. Despite his commendable actions, such as building projects and military successes, the continued existence of high places under his rule underscores the difficulty of eradicating entrenched religious practices that were contrary to the worship of Yahweh alone.

Jotham's reign is also marked by a period of relative stability and prosperity for Judah, as noted in 2 Chronicles 27:6 : "So Jotham grew powerful because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God." Yet, the narrative remains clear that the high places were a blemish on his otherwise commendable reign, illustrating the complexity of leading a nation in spiritual and moral reform.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 15:35
However, the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Call of Isaiah
... Of Jotham it is written: "He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord:
he did according to ... Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 25 the call of.htm

The Prophet Micah.
... of the house shall become as the high places of the ... as we are told In Ezekiel, the
Shechinah removed from it ... That ver.5 must not be separated from the prophecy ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet micah.htm

The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... The high places were an established feature in the Kingdom ... Hilkiah, the high priest,
who was rummaging among the ... probable that these passages were not in the ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
... were made under the direction of the high priest, for ... Kings 25:9); for the temple
was not burned, but ... probably to understand the ancient sacred places, such as ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xv formation and history.htm

Introductory Note.
... Allix places his birth about 145 or 150; his conversion ... his father was bishop, and
of high character both ... been written at Carthage, at an age not far removed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/introductory note.htm

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... and thou shalt tread upon their high places." Calvin says ... The explanation given by
some, "I shall not be among ... was very angry with Israel, and removed them out ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

And ii.
... That the [Pg 431] five places, the mention of which ... on Nehemiah, lc, according to
which, it is not the castle of ... is there designated as the upper, or high one. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... God is, according to him, widely removed from ordinary ... filled the listening crowd
with wonder: "The high places of Isaac ... The voice of Amos was not the only one ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... Much Money; On Which Account He Would Not Admit Of ... 3. How Herod Upon His Making
Aristobulus High Priest Took ... How He Built And Adorned Many Other Places After A ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Israel and Britain. A Note of Warning
... thing to see how Jesus fills the heavenly places; in him ... souls be moved in the presence
of the Most High? ... of God." Though we decrease, it matters not so long ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/israel and britain a note.htm