1 Kings 3:2

2 However, the people were sacrificing on the high places, because until that time a temple for the Lord's name had not been built.

1 Kings 3:2 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 3:2

Only the people sacrificed in high places
On the tops of their houses, on hills and mountains, and particularly at the high place in Gibeon, where the tabernacle was:

because there was no house built unto the name of the Lord until those
days;
to which they were obliged to repair as afterwards, and there offer their sacrifices, as the Lord had commanded, ( Deuteronomy 12:5 Deuteronomy 12:6 ) .

1 Kings 3:2 In-Context

1 Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt by marrying Pharaoh's daughter. Solomon brought her to the city of David until he finished building his palace, the Lord's temple, and the wall surrounding Jerusalem.

2 However, the people were sacrificing on the high places, because until that time a temple for the Lord's name had not been built.

3 Solomon loved the Lord by walking in the statutes of his father David, but he also sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.

4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there because it was the most famous high place. He offered 1,000 burnt offerings on that altar.

5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, "Ask. What should I give you?"