The prophets reproach the Israelites for nothing with more
zeal than for worshipping upon the high places. The destroying of these
high places is a commendation given only to few princes in Scripture;
and many, though zealous for the observance of the law, had not courage
to prevent the people from sacrificing upon these eminences. Before the
temple was built, the high places were not absolutely contrary to the
law, provided God only was there adored, and not idols. They seem to
have been tolerated under the judges; and Samuel offered sacrifices in
several places where the ark was not present. Even in David’s time they
sacrificed to the Lord at Shiloh, Jerusalem, and Gibeon. But after the
temple was built at Jerusalem, and the ark had a fixed settlement, it
was no longer allowed to sacrifice out of Jerusalem. The high places
were much frequented in the kingdom of Israel. The people sometimes went
upon those mountains which had been sanctified by the presence of
patriarchs and prophets, and by appearances of God, to worship the true
God there. This worship was lawful, except as to its being exercised
where the Lord had not chosen. But they frequently adored idols upon
these hills, and committed a thousand abominations in groves, and caves,
and tents; and hence arose the zeal of pious kings and prophets to
suppress the high places. Dr. Prideaux thinks it probable that the
_proseuchæ_, open courts, built like those in which the people prayed at
the tabernacle and the temple, were the same as those called high places
in the Old Testament. His reason is, that the _proseuchæ_ had groves in
or near them, in the same manner as the high places.
zeal than for worshipping upon the high places. The destroying of these
high places is a commendation given only to few princes in Scripture;
and many, though zealous for the observance of the law, had not courage
to prevent the people from sacrificing upon these eminences. Before the
temple was built, the high places were not absolutely contrary to the
law, provided God only was there adored, and not idols. They seem to
have been tolerated under the judges; and Samuel offered sacrifices in
several places where the ark was not present. Even in David’s time they
sacrificed to the Lord at Shiloh, Jerusalem, and Gibeon. But after the
temple was built at Jerusalem, and the ark had a fixed settlement, it
was no longer allowed to sacrifice out of Jerusalem. The high places
were much frequented in the kingdom of Israel. The people sometimes went
upon those mountains which had been sanctified by the presence of
patriarchs and prophets, and by appearances of God, to worship the true
God there. This worship was lawful, except as to its being exercised
where the Lord had not chosen. But they frequently adored idols upon
these hills, and committed a thousand abominations in groves, and caves,
and tents; and hence arose the zeal of pious kings and prophets to
suppress the high places. Dr. Prideaux thinks it probable that the
_proseuchæ_, open courts, built like those in which the people prayed at
the tabernacle and the temple, were the same as those called high places
in the Old Testament. His reason is, that the _proseuchæ_ had groves in
or near them, in the same manner as the high places.