For they also built for themselves high places and pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree,
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to skim over the specific details here, but the verse lists three distinct things they built: "high places" (sacred sites), "pillars" (often worship markers), and "Asherim" (symbols of a pagan goddess). This thoroughness shows their deliberate, widespread devotion to false gods, infiltrating every aspect of their landscape and daily lives.
For they also built for themselves high places and pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just before this, the prophet Ahijah delivers a harsh prophecy to Jeroboam's wife about the impending destruction of their entire family due to Jeroboam's idolatry. This verse then describes the pervasive nature of the Israelites' sin throughout the land, explaining why God's judgment was so severe: they were actively setting up pagan worship sites everywhere, even in seemingly innocent natural settings. This widespread disobedience directly fueled the divine wrath Ahijah foretold.
Why did the Israelites set up these forbidden altars and symbols? It wasn't just random rebellion; they were deeply rooted in the world around them.
Beyond Simple Disobedience
We often read about Israel's idolatry as a stark contrast to God's commands. But 1 Kings 14:23 shows us that their sin was more insidious. They adopted practices that were common in the surrounding Canaanite culture.
High Places, Pillars, and Asherim
These weren't necessarily hidden away. The text says they were set up 'on every high hill and under every green tree' – visible, accessible, and deeply integrated into the landscape and daily life. This made them familiar, even comforting, to the people, blending seamlessly with their environment. They chose the comfort of the familiar over the faithfulness to the unseen God.
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When God's people adopt the worship practices of the world, it doesn't lead to peace, but to God's judgment.
When Worship Blurs
The Israelites weren't just dabbling in foreign religions; they were mixing them with their worship of the LORD. This compromise was a direct violation of God's covenant. The consequences were severe.
God's Jealousy and Judgment
God's reaction to this syncretism (the blending of different religious beliefs) is crucial. He is a jealous God, not in a petty human sense, but because He alone is worthy of exclusive worship. Allowing other 'gods' or practices alongside Him is a betrayal.
This verse is part of a larger narrative where the northern kingdom of Israel, under Jeroboam, was engaging in practices that deliberately distinguished them from Judah and, unknowingly, from God's pure worship. They were building these sites as part of their state-sponsored religion, hoping to secure prosperity and stability through appeasement of various deities. However, God saw it as forsaking Him.
Understand the original words
bamah · Hebrew Noun
Local sites of worship, often located on elevations, which were originally intended for Yahweh but became centers for syncretism and idolatry.
matstsebah · Hebrew Noun
Upright stones or pillars used in Canaanite worship, often associated with the presence of pagan deities.
asherah · Hebrew Noun
Sacred wooden poles or images representing the Canaanite goddess Asherah, often erected near altars to signify fertility cult worship.
The verse describes widespread syncretistic worship, blending Yahweh worship with Canaanite fertility cults. This was prevalent in both northern Israel and southern Judah, especially after the kingdom divided, as kings and people alike turned to these practices for prosperity.
~975 BC
Death of Solomon
King Solomon's reign ends, marking a period of transition and division for the united Israelite kingdom.
c. 975-931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the united monarchy splits into two kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south, under Solomon's son Rehoboam and Jeroboam respectively.
c. 931 BC
Jeroboam Sets Up Golden Calves
King Jeroboam of Israel establishes rival religious centers at Bethel and Dan, fearing that his people would return to worship in Jerusalem (part of Judah). He erects golden calves as objects of worship.
c. 931-913 BC
Rehoboam's Reign in Judah
Rehoboam, king of Judah, initially follows God but later allows the people to engage in pagan practices, including high places.
c. 913-911 BC
Abijah's Brief Reign in Judah
Abijah, Rehoboam's successor, walks in his father's sins, continuing the religious corruption in Judah.
c. 911-887 BC
Asa's Reign in Judah
King Asa begins his reign with a commitment to righteousness, removing idols and high places. However, he later compromises and fails to eradicate all such practices.
c. 911-870 BC— this verse
Reign of Omri in Israel
Omri's reign marks a period of renewed idolatry and paganism in the northern kingdom of Israel, further entrenching these practices.
This passage describes God's command to destroy the pagan altars and images, directly paralleling the idolatrous practices condemned in 1 Kings.
Deuteronomy 12:2-3Here, God instructs Israel to tear down the pagan places of worship and burn their symbols, highlighting the pervasive and offensive nature of the idolatry seen in 1 Kings.
Jeremiah 2:20The prophet Jeremiah speaks of Israel breaking their covenant and running after foreign gods, connecting the specific acts of building high places to a broader pattern of spiritual unfaithfulness.
Ezekiel 6:13This verse speaks of judgment coming upon Israel for their idolatry, including their worship on high hills and under trees, showing the severe consequences of the actions described in 1 Kings.
It's easy to skim over the specific details here, but the verse lists three distinct things they built: "high places" (sacred sites), "pillars" (often worship markers), and "Asherim" (symbols of a pagan goddess). This thoroughness shows their deliberate, widespread devotion to false gods, infiltrating every aspect of their landscape and daily lives.
Just before this, the prophet Ahijah delivers a harsh prophecy to Jeroboam's wife about the impending destruction of their entire family due to Jeroboam's idolatry. This verse then describes the pervasive nature of the Israelites' sin throughout the land, explaining why God's judgment was so severe: they were actively setting up pagan worship sites everywhere, even in seemingly innocent natural settings. This widespread disobedience directly fueled the divine wrath Ahijah foretold.
Just before this, the prophet Ahijah delivers a harsh prophecy to Jeroboam's wife about the impending destruction of their entire family due to Jeroboam's idolatry. This verse then describes the pervasive nature of the Israelites' sin throughout the land, explaining why God's judgment was so severe: they were actively setting up pagan worship sites everywhere, even in seemingly innocent natural settings. This widespread disobedience directly fueled the divine wrath Ahijah foretold.
"For they also built for themselves high places and pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree," — It's easy to skim over the specific details here, but the verse lists three distinct things they built: "high places" (sacred sites), "pillars" (often worship markers), and "Asherim" (symbols of a…
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Last reviewed October 2026