Chapter 3

3:2  Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days.

high places

Cf. Leviticus 26:30 ; Deuteronomy 12:11-14 . The use of commanding elevations for altars seems to have been immemorial and universal. In itself the practice was not evil ; Genesis 12:7 Genesis 12:8 ; 22:2-4 ; 31:54 ; Judges 6:25 Judges 6:26 ; 13:16-23 . After the establishment of Mount Moriah and the temple as the centre of divine worship ; Deuteronomy 12:5 ; 2 Chronicles 7:12 the pentateuchal prohibition of the use of high places Deuteronomy 12:11-14 which had looked forward to the setting up of such a centre, came into effect, and high places became identified with idolatrous practices. The constant recurrence to the use of high places, even for Jehovistic worship (See Scofield "1 Kings 15:14") and after the building of the temple, proves how deeply rooted the custom was.

See 2 Kings 18:4-22 ; 23:1-37 ; 2 Chronicles 33:3 2 Chronicles 33:17 2 Chronicles 33:19 Note below refers to "Groves." (See Scofield "Judges 3:7") .