Topical Encyclopedia
Idolatry, the worship of idols or false gods, is a recurring theme in the history of Israel and Judah, particularly during the reigns of certain kings who led their people away from the worship of Yahweh. The Bible provides numerous accounts of how these kings adopted and promoted idolatrous practices, leading to spiritual and moral decline.
Solomon's ApostasyKing Solomon, despite his wisdom and the divine favor he initially enjoyed, fell into idolatry in his later years. Influenced by his foreign wives, Solomon built high places for their gods. The Berean Standard Bible records, "For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been" (
1 Kings 11:4). This apostasy set a precedent for future kings and contributed to the division of the kingdom.
Jeroboam's Golden CalvesJeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, established a system of idolatry to prevent his subjects from returning to Jerusalem for worship. He set up golden calves in Bethel and Dan, declaring, "Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (
1 Kings 12:28). This act of idolatry became a sin that plagued Israel throughout its history.
Ahab and JezebelKing Ahab, under the influence of his wife Jezebel, introduced the worship of Baal on a grand scale. The Berean Standard Bible states, "Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the sight of the LORD than all who were before him" (
1 Kings 16:30). Jezebel's zeal for Baal worship led to the persecution of Yahweh's prophets and further entrenched idolatry in the northern kingdom.
Manasseh's AbominationsIn Judah, King Manasseh's reign marked one of the darkest periods of idolatry. He rebuilt high places, erected altars for Baal, and even placed an Asherah pole in the temple. The Bible recounts, "Manasseh led them astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites" (
2 Kings 21:9). His actions provoked the LORD's anger and had lasting consequences for Judah.
Ahaz and the Assyrian InfluenceKing Ahaz of Judah, seeking political alliances, adopted the idolatrous practices of the Assyrians. He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, reasoning, "Because the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them so that they will help me" (
2 Chronicles 28:23). This syncretism further corrupted the worship of Yahweh in Judah.
The Consequences of IdolatryThe adoption of idolatry by these wicked kings led to severe consequences for both Israel and Judah. The prophets repeatedly warned that such practices would result in divine judgment, including exile and destruction. The Berean Standard Bible emphasizes the LORD's displeasure with idolatry, as seen in the words of the prophet Jeremiah: "They have forsaken Me and made this a place of foreign gods; they have burned incense in it to gods that neither they nor their fathers nor the kings of Judah ever knew" (
Jeremiah 19:4).
Throughout the biblical narrative, the adoption of idolatry by wicked kings serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of turning away from the one true God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Kings 21:26And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook2 Kings 21:21
And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Chronicles 28:2-4
For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Chronicles 33:3,7
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Axe at the Root --A Testimony against Puseyite Idolatry
... itself, and in one shape or another idolatry is the ... indignation would pull in pieces
those wicked mockeries of ... formal of worship which might be adopted, yet we ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/the axe at the roota.htm
Petilianus Said: "But what have You to do with the Kings of This.. ...
... that you understand the Latin tongue) both the idolatry and the ... The daughter of a
king adopted Moses ... Elijah ran before the chariot of a most wicked king,"not ...
/.../chapter 93 202 petilianus.htm
Appendix
... Jehovah strikes a blow against such wicked pretensions, and ... His people, the same
procedure is adopted as when ... Extract from The Origin of Pagan Idolatry, by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/appendix.htm
They Shall be Called the Children of God
... saw the people of Athens given to idolatry his spirit ... they enjoy with God's leave,
but the adopted have them ... The wicked have them by providence; the saints by ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/19 they shall be called.htm
Comparison Between the False Church and the True.
... Jews from the date of their revolt to idolatry? ... For although they had adopted many
perverse ceremonies ... while all, without exception, were wicked and idolatrous ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 2 comparison between the.htm
The Counsel of Gamaliel.
... the supposition, that the Sanhedrim had adopted the counsel ... towards their different
forms of idolatry; it was ... some other passion, of men as wicked as themselves ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture vii the counsel of.htm
Knox in the War of the Congregation: the Regent Attacked: Her ...
... stint: and Cecil drew up the paper adopted, as I ... had deserted her, and to "the wicked
counsel of ... which includes "the suppression of idolatry and superstition ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xii knox in the.htm
The Order of Thought which Surrounded the Development of Jesus.
... triumph of theocracy and the worship of Jehovah over idolatry. ... remembrance of men,
and judging the wicked who had ... does not seem to have adopted them), pervaded ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter iv the order of.htm
Blair -- the Hour and the Event of all Time
... in presignifying the death of Christ, adopted that plan ... driven from his throne by
the wicked, and restored ... departed from Him; the reign of idolatry passed away ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/blair the hour and.htm
Isaiah
... used to be supposed that both adopted it from ... reveal the impotence of superstition
and idolatry and material ... The wicked will not learn from the divine judgments ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/isaiah.htm
Resources
What is ministry idolatry? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the definition of idolatry? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are some modern forms of idolatry? | GotQuestions.orgIdolatry: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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