2 Kings 23:13
And the king defiled the high places that were east of Jerusalem, to the south of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What’s striking here is that the very places built by wise King Solomon for his foreign wives' gods are the ones Josiah is now defiling as an act of worship to the Lord. It’s a powerful reminder that even things built with good intentions can become corrupted, and true faithfulness often requires dismantling what has become an offense to God.
King Josiah is on a radical mission to cleanse Judah of idolatry, following his discovery of the Book of the Law. This passage describes him tearing down pagan altars and shrines, specifically targeting those built by Solomon, Israel's most revered king, for foreign gods. Josiah's actions directly confront the deep-seated religious corruption that has taken root, even in places historically associated with Israel's glory.
King Josiah discovers shocking places of worship right on the outskirts of Jerusalem. What were these places and why were they so offensive to God?
Josiah's reign marks a powerful return to God. As part of his reforms, he confronts the idolatry that had infiltrated the very land God gave His people.
Gentile Abominations
This verse names specific foreign gods: Ashtoreth (Sidonian), Chemosh (Moabite), and Milcom (Ammonite). These weren't just abstract idols; they represented the cultural and religious practices of the nations surrounding Israel. Their worship often involved fertility rites, child sacrifice, and sexual immorality – all deeply offensive to the pure and holy God of Israel.
Proximity to Holiness
What's particularly striking is where these places were: 'east of Jerusalem, to the south of the mount of corruption.' This wasn't some distant land; these were shrines built dangerously close to the heart of Israel's spiritual life, Jerusalem, and its sacred Temple. This closeness highlights how easily sin and compromise can creep into the lives of God's people, even in seemingly holy places.
The 'mount of corruption' was built by none other than King Solomon, a man known for his wisdom. How did even he fall into such deep spiritual error?
It's easy to point fingers at foreign influences, but this verse reveals a sobering truth: Israel's own king, Solomon, initiated this defilement.
The Fall of the Wise
Solomon, blessed with unparalleled wisdom from God, eventually strayed. His downfall wasn't sudden; it was a gradual compromise rooted in his many foreign wives who 'turned away his heart after other gods' (1 Kings 11:3). His desire for political alliances and personal pleasure overshadowed his devotion to the Lord.
A King's Responsibility
Solomon's actions created a dangerous precedent. He built these shrines, legitimizing the worship of foreign gods within sight of Jerusalem. This demonstrates that even great spiritual leaders can fall and leave a legacy of spiritual decay if they are not vigilant in guarding their hearts and their obedience to God's commands.
Understand the original words
bamah · Hebrew Noun
An elevated site, often natural or constructed, used for religious sacrifice. In the context of Israel, these were consistently condemned when used for worship outside of the designated place for the LORD’s presence.
shiqquwts · Hebrew Noun
Something detestable or loathsome, especially that which is morally or religiously unclean in the sight of God. In biblical usage, it is often applied to idols and the practices associated with them.
Ashtoreth · Hebrew Proper Noun
A pagan goddess of fertility and war, widely worshipped in the ancient Near East, often associated with Baal and representing the corrupting influence of Canaanite religion.
Kemosh · Hebrew Proper Noun
Josiah's decisive action to destroy these ancient high places, built by his own ancestor Solomon, highlights the deep-seated and persistent nature of idolatry that plagued Israel, and the radical nature of the reforms God demanded.
c. 970 BC
Solomon builds foreign temples
King Solomon, influenced by his foreign wives, built shrines for their gods, including Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Milcom, on mountains east of Jerusalem.
c. 700-650 BC
Manasseh's idolatry
King Manasseh reinstituted idolatrous worship, setting up Asherah poles and altars to foreign gods within the Jerusalem Temple itself.
c. 640-609 BC
Josiah's reign begins
Josiah became king of Judah at a young age and would later initiate sweeping religious reforms after the discovery of the Book of the Law.
c. 622 BC— this verse
Discovery of the Book of the Law
During renovations, the high priest discovered a scroll believed to be the Book of the Law (Deuteronomy). This sparked Josiah's great religious reform.
This passage sets the stage for why Josiah's actions were so crucial, commanding Israel to destroy all sites of idolatry in the promised land.
Jeremiah 7:30-31This prophetic indictment against Judah highlights the very same 'high places' and abominations that Josiah is clearing out, showing the deep-rooted nature of this sin.
1 Kings 11:7This verse directly names Solomon as the builder of these detestable shrines, revealing the tragic spiritual decline of even Israel's wisest king.
Isaiah 2:8This prophetic warning against idolatry, calling it the 'work of their hands,' powerfully underscores the foolishness of worshipping created things that cannot save.
What’s striking here is that the very places built by wise King Solomon for his foreign wives' gods are the ones Josiah is now defiling as an act of worship to the Lord. It’s a powerful reminder that even things built with good intentions can become corrupted, and true faithfulness often requires dismantling what has become an offense to God.
King Josiah is on a radical mission to cleanse Judah of idolatry, following his discovery of the Book of the Law. This passage describes him tearing down pagan altars and shrines, specifically targeting those built by Solomon, Israel's most revered king, for foreign gods. Josiah's actions directly confront the deep-seated religious corruption that has taken root, even in places historically associated with Israel's glory.
King Josiah is on a radical mission to cleanse Judah of idolatry, following his discovery of the Book of the Law. This passage describes him tearing down pagan altars and shrines, specifically targeting those built by Solomon, Israel's most revered king, for foreign gods. Josiah's actions directly confront the deep-seated religious corruption that has taken root, even in places historically associated with Israel's glory.
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The chief god of the Moabites, associated with war and sometimes human sacrifice, representing the fierce opposition to the worship of Yahweh.
Milkom · Hebrew Proper Noun
The national god of the Ammonites, often associated with Molech, whose worship involved detestable practices and stood in direct rebellion against the covenant law.
c. 622 BC
Josiah purges idolatry
Upon hearing the Law read, Josiah tore his clothes and initiated a nationwide purge of all idolatrous worship, including defiling high places and destroying idols.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar conquered Judah, deporting some of its elite, including the prophet Daniel. This marked the beginning of Judah's decline and eventual exile.
"And the king defiled the high places that were east of Jerusalem, to the south of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of Moab,…" — What’s striking here is that the very places built by wise King Solomon for his foreign wives' gods are the ones Josiah is now defiling as an act of worship to the Lord. It’s a powerful reminder th…
