Even though Solomon is about to make a brilliant request, this verse reminds us the people were still practicing a mixed and imperfect form of worship, offering sacrifices at local shrines. What's often missed is that this wasn't necessarily outright disobedience yet; the text explains it was because a central place for God's presence hadn't been established. This highlights how, in the early days of Israel, people were navigating how to best honor God in the absence of a fully built temple, showing a desire to connect even if their methods weren't yet perfect.
The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the LORD. Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Solomon had just begun his reign, and in an effort to solidify his alliance and honor God, he went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices. While the people were still sacrificing at various high places—a practice that would become problematic later—it was still a common way to worship before the permanent Temple was constructed in Jerusalem. This act at Gibeon sets the stage for God's remarkable offer to Solomon in the very next verses.
Why were God's people offering sacrifices in places that would later be condemned? This verse reveals a common tension between genuine faith and practical realities.
A Necessary Evil?
This verse introduces us to a tricky situation in Israel's early history. The people were worshipping God, offering sacrifices – that's good! But they were doing it at the 'high places.' These were outdoor altars, often on hills, which were common places for worship in surrounding pagan cultures.
This highlights a persistent human tendency: to compromise our worship or ethics when we feel it's a practical necessity, or when the 'ideal' (like a proper Temple) isn't yet in place.
The verse mentions sacrificing 'for the name of the LORD.' What does it mean to worship in God's name?
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More Than Just a Label
The phrase 'the name of the LORD' in the Old Testament is incredibly significant. It's not just a substitute for His personal name, Yahweh. It represents His character, His presence, His reputation, and His authority.
Understand the original words
bamah · Hebrew Noun
Designated sites, often on hills or elevated ground, used for worship and sacrifice. While sometimes used to worship the LORD before the Temple was built, they were frequently associated with pagan cultic practices and were strictly forbidden in the Law of Moses once the central sanctuary was established.
shem · Hebrew Noun
In the Bible, a name represents the essence, character, authority, and reputation of a person. Referring to the "name of the LORD" highlights God’s manifest presence, sovereignty, and the specific place He chose to dwell among His people.
ahab · Hebrew Verb
To cherish, hold dear, and display unwavering commitment to God. It encompasses not just emotion, but the devotion of the entire heart, resulting in obedience to His commandments.
chuqqah · Hebrew Noun
God's established ordinances, decrees, or laws. These serve as the righteous standard for life, reflecting God's holy character and providing the guidelines for human conduct in covenant relationship with Him.
zabach · Hebrew Verb/Noun
A voluntary act of worship involving the killing of an animal to make atonement for sin, express devotion, or express gratitude to God. It represents the shedding of blood as a substitute to satisfy divine justice and facilitate fellowship with a holy God.
mizbeach · Hebrew Noun
A structure built to facilitate the act of sacrificing to God. It serves as a meeting point between the human and the divine, where a life is surrendered in worship or atonement.
This verse highlights a critical transitional phase in Israel's religious history, where the people, accustomed to varied worship locations, are still adapting to the centralized worship God intended, even as the move towards building the Temple is imminent.
c. 1050 BC
Saul Anointed King
God chooses Saul as Israel's first king, marking the transition from the era of judges to monarchy. This period sees a continued struggle to centralize worship and national identity.
c. 1010 BC
David Captures Jerusalem
King David conquers Jerusalem, establishing it as the political and spiritual capital of Israel. He brings the Ark of the Covenant to the city, intending to build a temple.
c. 1000 BC
David's Desire to Build Temple
David strongly desires to build a permanent house for the Ark of God, but is told by the prophet Nathan that his son will build it.
c. 970 BC— this verse
Solomon Becomes King
Solomon ascends to the throne of Israel after David's death. He begins his reign by seeking wisdom from God and addressing the religious practices of the time.
c. 966 BC
Temple Construction Begins
Solomon begins the monumental task of building the First Temple in Jerusalem, fulfilling his father's vision and centralizing worship as God commanded.
c. 960 BC
Temple Completed and Dedicated
After seven years of construction, the magnificent First Temple is completed and dedicated by Solomon, becoming the central sanctuary for Israelite worship.
This passage describes God's instructions for worship, emphasizing that He would provide a specific place for His name to dwell, which contrasts with the people's unauthorized sacrifices at high places.
Deuteronomy 12:13-14This reiterates God's command to worship only at the place He chooses, highlighting the Israelites' later disobedience in sacrificing wherever they pleased, as seen in 1 Kings 3:2.
Judges 17:6This verse shows a similar pattern of worship outside of God's appointed way, where people did 'what was right in his own eyes' because there was no central leadership or established worship, mirroring the situation in the early monarchy.
2 Samuel 7:1-2This passage shows David's desire to build a house for the Lord, which is the very context leading to Solomon's request for wisdom to build that promised house.
Even though Solomon is about to make a brilliant request, this verse reminds us the people were still practicing a mixed and imperfect form of worship, offering sacrifices at local shrines. What's often missed is that this wasn't necessarily outright disobedience yet; the text explains it was because a central place for God's presence hadn't been established. This highlights how, in the early days of Israel, people were navigating how to best honor God in the absence of a fully built temple, showing a desire to connect even if their methods weren't yet perfect.
King Solomon had just begun his reign, and in an effort to solidify his alliance and honor God, he went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices. While the people were still sacrificing at various high places—a practice that would become problematic later—it was still a common way to worship before the permanent Temple was constructed in Jerusalem. This act at Gibeon sets the stage for God's remarkable offer to Solomon in the very next verses.
King Solomon had just begun his reign, and in an effort to solidify his alliance and honor God, he went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices. While the people were still sacrificing at various high places—a practice that would become problematic later—it was still a common way to worship before the permanent Temple was constructed in Jerusalem. This act at Gibeon sets the stage for God's remarkable offer to Solomon in the very next verses.
"The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the LORD. Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high p…" — Even though Solomon is about to make a brilliant request, this verse reminds us the people were still practicing a mixed and imperfect form of worship, offering sacrifices at local shrines. What's of…
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Last reviewed October 2026
