2 Kings 12:3

3 But the illegal places of worship weren't torn down. The people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense at these worship sites.

2 Kings 12:3 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 12:3

But the high places were not taken away
Used before the temple was built, or set up in Rehoboam's time, ( 1 Kings 14:23 ) contrary to the law of God, which required that sacrifices should only be offered in the place the Lord chose to dwell in, ( Deuteronomy 12:4 Deuteronomy 12:6 ) the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places; as they had done in the times of Athaliah, and though the pure worship of God was restored at Jerusalem; and indeed this they did in all preceding reigns; nor was it in the power of the best of kings, at least they did not think it safe to attempt to remove them till Hezekiah's time; so fond were the people of them because of their antiquity and supposed sanctity, and for the sake of ease.

2 Kings 12:3 In-Context

1 Joash began to rule in Jehu's seventh year as king of Israel, and he ruled for 40 years in Jerusalem. His mother was Zibiah from Beersheba.

2 Joash did what the LORD considered right, as long as the priest Jehoiada instructed him.

3 But the illegal places of worship weren't torn down. The people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense at these worship sites.

4 Joash told the priests, "[Collect] all the holy contributions that are brought into the LORD's temple--the money each person is currently required to bring and all the money brought voluntarily to the LORD's temple.

5 Each of the priests should receive it from the donors and use it to make repairs on the temple where they are needed."