1 Kings 15:14-15
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Even though Asa didn't completely remove all the unauthorized worship sites, the verse emphasizes that his heart was genuinely devoted to God. This shows us that God looks at our core intentions and the overarching direction of our lives, not just the perfection of our outward actions. It's a powerful reminder that sincere devotion can coexist with ongoing struggles and imperfect progress.
But the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was wholly true to the LORD all his days. And he brought into the house of the LORD the sacred gifts of his father and his own sacred gifts, silver, and gold, and vessels.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Asa had a good start, removing idols and making his heart devoted to God. However, he didn't fully clear out all the places where people worshipped other gods. This sets up a tension throughout his reign: while his intention was pure and he had some significant victories due to his faithfulness, he left behind a religious compromise that would haunt Israel.
Even when things aren't perfect, God notices our deepest intentions. Asa's reign had a major blind spot, but the Bible still declares his heart was devoted.
The Whole Story
King Asa was a genuinely good king by many standards. He removed idols, fought against his enemies, and sought God's strength. The Bible calls him righteous (1 Kings 15:11). Yet, he failed to completely eradicate the 'high places' – unauthorized worship sites that were a persistent problem in Israel and Judah.
God's Focus on the Core
This verse is a powerful reminder that God looks beyond outward actions and even persistent societal issues. He sees the 'heart.' Even though Asa didn't achieve perfect reform, his intention and dedication were 'wholly true to the LORD.' This doesn't excuse his failure, but it highlights God's grace in recognizing the genuine desire to follow Him.
Why did Asa leave the high places? This verse hints that true spiritual change is often a long journey, not a quick fix.
The Unfinished Work
The phrase 'the high places were not taken away' is crucial. It reveals that spiritual and societal reform is rarely a clean, instant sweep. Asa's generation inherited a deeply ingrained problem of syncretism (mixing true worship with pagan practices).
Why the Incompleteness?
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Several factors might explain this:
Whatever the reason, the verse shows that even well-intentioned leaders can leave significant work unfinished. The 'high places' represent the lingering issues in our own lives and communities that resist immediate eradication.
Understand the original words
bamah · Hebrew Noun
Local sites of worship, often on hills, originally intended for sacrifice; they became centers of idolatrous syncretism where worship of Yahweh was mixed with pagan practices.
lebab · Hebrew Noun
The 'heart' is the seat of the inner man, including the intellect, emotions, will, and conscience. To be 'wholly' toward God signifies a state of complete devotion, integrity, and undivided allegiance.
qodesh · Hebrew Noun
Objects or wealth set apart for holy use or dedicated to the service and worship of God in the sanctuary.
This verse highlights a tension common in the history of Israel and Judah: a leader's sincere heart for God doesn't always translate into complete eradication of deeply ingrained religious syncretism. The 'high places' represented a persistent cultural and religious phenomenon that even devout kings struggled to fully dismantle.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divides
Following Solomon's reign, the united kingdom of Israel splits into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This division creates ongoing political and religious tensions.
c. 910 BC
Reign of Asa Begins
Asa becomes king of Judah, inheriting a kingdom still grappling with idolatry and the fractured state of the nation.
c. 909 BC
Asa's Religious Reforms
Asa initiates significant reforms, removing idols and pagan altars, and purging the land of detestable practices, demonstrating a strong commitment to worshipping Yahweh alone.
c. 908 BC
Asa's Military Victories
Asa achieves major victories against the Ethiopians and later against the kingdom of Israel, securing Judah's borders and bolstering his reputation.
Undated within reign— this verse
High Places Remain
Despite Asa's reforms and devotion, the text notes that the 'high places' – traditional sites of worship, often used for idolatry – were not completely removed during his reign.
c. 870 BC
Reign of Jehoshaphat
Asa's son, Jehoshaphat, succeeds him. While he continues some of his father's reforms, he also faces challenges with the lingering influences of idolatry and the corruptions in the Northern Kingdom.
This passage also shows a king, Jehoash, who did 'what was right in the eyes of the LORD,' yet still tolerated the high places, highlighting a recurring tension between personal devotion and national religious reform.
2 Chronicles 14:2This parallel account emphasizes Asa's positive actions, stating he 'did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God,' providing a fuller picture of his commendable reign despite the lingering issue of the high places.
Psalm 101:2This psalm expresses a similar commitment to walking with integrity and uprightness, mirroring Asa's 'wholly true' heart towards the LORD, even when external circumstances or compromises exist.
Matthew 23:25-26Jesus' critique of the Pharisees about cleaning the outside of the cup while the inside is full of greed and debauchery resonates with Asa's situation – a pure heart in one area, but an incomplete cleansing in another.
Even though Asa didn't completely remove all the unauthorized worship sites, the verse emphasizes that his heart was genuinely devoted to God. This shows us that God looks at our core intentions and the overarching direction of our lives, not just the perfection of our outward actions. It's a powerful reminder that sincere devotion can coexist with ongoing struggles and imperfect progress.
King Asa had a good start, removing idols and making his heart devoted to God. However, he didn't fully clear out all the places where people worshipped other gods. This sets up a tension throughout his reign: while his intention was pure and he had some significant victories due to his faithfulness, he left behind a religious compromise that would haunt Israel.
King Asa had a good start, removing idols and making his heart devoted to God. However, he didn't fully clear out all the places where people worshipped other gods. This sets up a tension throughout his reign: while his intention was pure and he had some significant victories due to his faithfulness, he left behind a religious compromise that would haunt Israel.
"But the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was wholly true to the LORD all his days. And he brought into the house of the LORD the sacred gifts of his father and his own sacred gifts, silver, and gold, and vess…" — Even though Asa didn't completely remove all the unauthorized worship sites, the verse emphasizes that his heart was genuinely devoted to God. This shows us that God looks at our core intentions an…
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Last reviewed October 2026
