High Places:
This is the name given in Scripture to certain places where illicit worship was performed by the people of Israel. The practice of erecting altars on elevated places was quite common in ancient times, and originated in the belief that hilltops were nearer to heaven, therefore, the most favorable for prayer and incense.
Before Solomon’s temple was built the high places were not absolutely contrary to the law, providing God alone was worshiped. Concerning the worship of idols, the Jewish people acted just as did their pagan neighbors. The prophets reproached the Israelites for nothing else with more zeal than for worshipping of idols upon these places.
Yet Abraham had built an altar to the LORD on a mountain near Bethel. The Mosaic Law however true to its grand aim of securing national strength and purity by a vigorous system of isolation, prohibited this practice in the future. Prohibited on the grounds that these places which the Israelites would be compelled to choose, had already been polluted by their neighbors. But the Jews forbidden or not, still erected altars not only to their God, but to Baal. God knew beforehand that any worship done by His people in these idolatrous places would result in the worship of foreign gods.
Yet this practice seemed to have been tolerated under the judges. During this period of Judge’s we find that both Gideon and Manoah (Samson’s father) built altars on high places by Divine command, see Judges 6:25-26; 13:16-23. Samuel offered sacrifices in several places where the Ark was not present. We are surprised to read of the violations of the injunction by Samuel at Mizpeh and Bethlehem; by Saul at Gilgal; by David at Shiloh, Jerusalem, and Gibeon; as well as Elijah on Mt. Carmel.
Whatever explanation is given for this conduct it is quite certain that worship in high places was almost universal in Judea, both during and after the time of Solomon. But after the temple was built at Jerusalem, and the ark had a fixed place, it was no longer allowed to sacrifice out of Jerusalem. Yet the people sometimes went upon those mountains to worship if it was known to have had been sanctified by the presence of some patriarch, prophet, or an appearance by God.
Upon these places the Jews frequently adorned false idols, and committed a thousand similar abominations in groves, caves, and tents. At a later period in Jewish history, we find in the Books of Kings and Chronicles a series of vigorous efforts by certain Jewish monarchs to suppress this practice. But certainly after the time of Josiah, it appears to have been abandoned.
Phillip Laspino www.seekfirstwisdom.com