2 Kings 12:3

3 But yet he took not away the high places: for the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.

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 In the seventh year of Jehu, Joas began to reign: and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. The name of his mother was Sebia, of Bersabee.

2 And Joas did that which was right before the Lord all the days that Joiada, the priest, taught him.

3 But yet he took not away the high places: for the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.

4 And Joas said to the priests: all the money of the sanctified things, which is brought into the temple of the Lord by those that pass, which is offered for the price of a soul, and which of their own accord, and of their own free heart, they bring into the temple of the Lord:

5 Let the priests take it according to their order and repair the house, wheresoever they shall see any thing that wanteth repairing.