CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Kings 3:2 The people, however, were still sacrificing on the high places because a house for the Name of the LORD had not yet been built.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_kings/3-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/11_1Ki_03_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Kings 3:2 - Solomon's Rule Consolidated" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The people, however, were still sacrificing on the high places because a house for the Name of the LORD had not yet been built." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_kings/3-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_kings/3-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_kings/">1 Kings</a> > <a href="/1_kings/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_kings/3-1.htm" title="1 Kings 3:1">◄</a> 1 Kings 3:2 <a href="/1_kings/3-3.htm" title="1 Kings 3:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_kings/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_kings/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The people, however, were still sacrificing at the high places, because a temple had not yet been built for the Name of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_kings/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />At that time the people of Israel sacrificed their offerings at local places of worship, for a temple honoring the name of the LORD had not yet been built.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_kings/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The people, however, were still sacrificing on the high places because a house for the Name of the LORD had not yet been built.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_kings/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_kings/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Meanwhile the people sacrificed at the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD until those days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_kings/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The people were still sacrificing on the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD until those days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_kings/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The people were still sacrificing on the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD until those days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_kings/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The people were still sacrificing on the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD until those days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_kings/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The people were still sacrificing on the high places because there was no house built for the name of Yahweh until those days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_kings/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But [in the meantime] the people were still sacrificing [to God] on the high places (hilltops) [as the pagans did to their idols], for there was no [permanent] house yet built for the Name of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_kings/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />However, the people were sacrificing on the high places, because until that time a temple for the LORD’s name had not been built.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_kings/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />However, the people were sacrificing on the high places, because until that time a temple for the LORD&#8217s name had not been built. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_kings/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Only the people sacrificed in the high places, because there was no house built for the name of Jehovah until those days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_kings/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />At that time, there was no temple for worshiping the LORD, and everyone offered sacrifices at the local shrines. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_kings/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Only the people sacrificed in the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD until those days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_kings/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The people were still sacrificing at other worship sites because a temple for the name of the LORD had not yet been built.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_kings/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />A temple had not yet been built for the LORD, and so the people were still offering sacrifices at many different altars. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_kings/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The people were sacrificing at various high places because the Temple had not yet been built and dedicated to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_kings/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The people, however, were still sacrificing on the high places because a house for the Name of the LORD had not yet been built.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_kings/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now the people were offering sacrifices at the high places, because in those days a temple had not yet been built to honor the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_kings/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Only the people sacrificed in the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD until those days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_kings/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built to the name of the LORD, until those days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_kings/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />However, the people sacrificed in the high places, because there was not yet a house built for Yahweh’s name. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_kings/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Only, the people are sacrificing in high places, for there has not been built a house for the Name of YHWH until those days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_kings/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Only, the people are sacrificing in high places, for there hath not been built a house for the name of Jehovah till those days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_kings/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Only the people sacrificing in heights, for there was not a house, built to the name of Jehovah even to these days.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_kings/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But yet the people sacrificed in the high places: far there was no temple built to the name of the Lord until that day. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_kings/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But still the people immolated in the high places. For no temple had been built to the name of the Lord, even to that day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_kings/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The people were sacrificing on the high places, however, for up to that time no house had been built for the name of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the LORD.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The people sacrificed only in high places, because there was no house yet built to the name of the LORD, until those days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_kings/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The people were sacrificing only on high places, because there was no house yet built for the name of LORD JEHOVAH until those days<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_kings/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Only the people sacrificed in the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD until those days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_kings/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Nevertheless the people burnt incense on the high places, because a house had not yet been built to the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_kings/3-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=1129" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/3.htm">Solomon's Rule Consolidated</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>Later, Solomon formed an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt by marrying his daughter. Solomon brought her to the City of David until he had finished building his palace and the house of the LORD, as well as the wall around Jerusalem. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">The people,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7535.htm" title="7535: raq (Adv) -- The same as raq as a noun; properly, leanness, i.e. limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although.">however,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2076.htm" title="2076: mə·zab·bə·ḥîm (V-Piel-Prtcpl-mp) -- To slaughter for sacrifice. A primitive root; to slaughter an animal.">were still sacrificing</a> <a href="/hebrew/1116.htm" title="1116: bab·bā·mō·wṯ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fp) -- A high place. From an unused root; an elevation.">on the high places</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: ḇa·yiṯ (N-ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">a house</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: lə·šêm (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">for the Name</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">had not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">yet</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hā·hêm (Art:: Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: hay·yā·mîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1129.htm" title="1129: niḇ·nāh (V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- To build. A primitive root; to build.">been built.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>And Solomon loved the LORD and walked in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-13.htm">Deuteronomy 12:13-14</a></span><br />Be careful not to offer your burnt offerings in just any place you see; / you must offer them only in the place the LORD will choose in one of your tribal territories, and there you shall do all that I command you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/1-3.htm">2 Chronicles 1:3-6</a></span><br />And Solomon and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon because it was the location of God’s Tent of Meeting, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness. / Now David had brought the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place he had prepared for it, because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem. / But the bronze altar made by Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, was in Gibeon before the tabernacle of the LORD. So Solomon and the assembly inquired of Him there. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/17-3.htm">Leviticus 17:3-4</a></span><br />‘Anyone from the house of Israel who slaughters an ox, a lamb, or a goat in the camp or outside of it / instead of bringing it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting to present it as an offering to the LORD before His tabernacle—that man shall incur bloodguilt. He has shed blood and must be cut off from among his people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-5.htm">Deuteronomy 12:5-6</a></span><br />Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. / To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/9-25.htm">1 Kings 9:25</a></span><br />Three times a year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar he had built for the LORD, burning incense with them before the LORD. So he completed the temple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/22-43.htm">1 Kings 22:43</a></span><br />And Jehoshaphat walked in all the ways of his father Asa; he did not turn away from them, but did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. The high places, however, were not removed; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/12-3.htm">2 Kings 12:3</a></span><br />Nevertheless, the high places were not removed; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/14-4.htm">2 Kings 14:4</a></span><br />Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away, and the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/15-4.htm">2 Kings 15:4</a></span><br />Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/15-35.htm">2 Kings 15:35</a></span><br />Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there. Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the house of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/33-17.htm">2 Chronicles 33:17</a></span><br />Nevertheless, the people still sacrificed at the high places, but only to the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-20.htm">John 4:20-24</a></span><br />Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where one must worship is in Jerusalem.” / “Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. / You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-48.htm">Acts 7:48-50</a></span><br />However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: / ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be? / Has not My hand made all these things?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-24.htm">Acts 17:24-25</a></span><br />The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. / Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-1.htm">Hebrews 9:1-10</a></span><br />Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. / A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place. / Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built to the name of the LORD, until those days.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm">1 Kings 1:3</a></b></br> So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/22-43.htm">1 Kings 22:43</a></b></br> And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing <i>that which was</i> right in the eyes of the LORD: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; <i>for</i> the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/17-3.htm">Leviticus 17:3-6</a></b></br> What man soever <i>there be</i> of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth <i>it</i> out of the camp, … </p><p class="hdg">was no</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/5-3.htm">1 Kings 5:3</a></b></br> Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/17-4.htm">1 Chronicles 17:4-6</a></b></br> Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/28-3.htm">1 Chronicles 28:3-6</a></b></br> But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou <i>hast been</i> a man of war, and hast shed blood… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/24-25.htm">Built</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-1.htm">High</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-1.htm">House</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-15.htm">However</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-40.htm">Making</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-25.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-46.htm">Places</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-19.htm">Sacrificed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-18.htm">Sacrificing</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-7.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-38.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/6-2.htm">Built</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-3.htm">High</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-17.htm">House</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-1.htm">However</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-3.htm">Making</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-3.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-3.htm">Places</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-3.htm">Sacrificed</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-3.htm">Sacrificing</a> <a href="/1_kings/6-2.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-2.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/3-1.htm">Solomon marries Pharaoh's daughter</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/3-2.htm">High places being in use, Solomon sacrifices at Gibeon</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/3-5.htm">Solomon at Gibeon, in the choice which God gave him, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/3-10.htm">preferring wisdom, obtains wisdom, riches, and honor</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/3-16.htm">Solomon's judgment makes him renowned</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_kings/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The people, however, were still sacrificing on the high places</b><br>In ancient Israel, high places were elevated sites often used for worship. These locations were common in Canaanite religious practices, and the Israelites adopted them for their own sacrifices. Despite God's instructions to worship at a central sanctuary, the people continued using these sites, reflecting a syncretism with local customs. This practice was a point of contention throughout Israel's history, as seen in <a href="/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10-11</a>, where high places are associated with idolatry. The use of high places indicates a period of transition and incomplete obedience to God's commands.<p><b>because a house for the Name of the LORD had not yet been built</b><br>This phrase refers to the temple in Jerusalem, which Solomon would later construct. Until the temple's completion, there was no permanent dwelling for God's presence among His people, as described in <a href="/deuteronomy/12-5.htm">Deuteronomy 12:5-14</a>, where God commands a central place of worship. The absence of the temple meant that the Israelites lacked a unified location for sacrifices, leading to the continued use of high places. The temple's construction was a fulfillment of God's promise to David in <a href="/2_samuel/7-12.htm">2 Samuel 7:12-13</a>, establishing a permanent place for His Name and foreshadowing the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity through Jesus Christ, as seen in <a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a>, where Christ is described as the Word made flesh, dwelling among us.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_israel.htm">The People of Israel</a></b><br>The Israelites, God's chosen people, who were engaging in worship practices at high places.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/h/high_places.htm">High Places</a></b><br>Elevated sites where people offered sacrifices and worshiped. These were common in ancient Near Eastern cultures and often associated with pagan worship.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_name_of_the_lord.htm">The Name of the LORD</a></b><br>Refers to the presence and authority of God, which was to be centralized in the temple in Jerusalem.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_temple.htm">The Temple</a></b><br>The future house for the Name of the LORD, which Solomon would eventually build in Jerusalem.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>The king of Israel at the time, who was tasked with building the temple.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/centralized_worship.htm">Centralized Worship</a></b><br>The importance of having a designated place for worship to maintain purity and unity in worship practices.<br><br>Application: Consider the importance of gathering with other believers in a church setting to foster community and accountability.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>The Israelites' use of high places was a temporary measure, but it was not God's ultimate plan for worship.<br><br>Application: Reflect on areas in life where temporary solutions might be hindering full obedience to God's commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_significance_of_god's_presence.htm">The Significance of God's Presence</a></b><br>The temple was to be a dwelling place for God's Name, signifying His presence among His people.<br><br>Application: Recognize the importance of inviting God's presence into our daily lives and making our hearts a dwelling place for Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/transition_and_patience.htm">Transition and Patience</a></b><br>The period before the temple was built was a time of transition for Israel.<br><br>Application: Trust in God's timing and plan during transitional phases in life, knowing that He is working towards a greater purpose.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_solomon's_sacrifice_conflict_with_bans.htm">Does Solomon’s sacrifice at high places (1 Kings 3:2–3) conflict with scriptural bans on worship outside the central sanctuary? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/which_high_places_did_solomon_visit.htm">Which high places did Solomon visit?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_1_sam_9_12-14_fit_israel's_rituals.htm">How does the mention of a “high place” in 1 Samuel 9:12–14 align with historical evidence that such rituals were either encouraged or condemned at different periods in Israel’s history? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_canaanite_altars_persist_in_use.htm">In Deuteronomy 12:2–4, how does the command to destroy all pagan worship sites fit with archaeological findings that some Canaanite altars appear to have remained in use? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_kings/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">In high places</span>.--The historian, writing from the point of view of his own time, when, after the solemn consecration of the Temple, the worship at "the high places," which form natural sanctuaries, was forbidden, explains that "because there was no house built unto the name of the Lord," the people, and Solomon himself, sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places. It is clear that these high places were of two kinds--places of sacrifice to false gods, and unauthorised sanctuaries of the Lord, probably associating His worship with visible representations of Deity. The former class were, of course, absolute abominations, like the high places of the Canaanite races, so sternly denounced in <a href="/context/deuteronomy/12-2.htm" title="You shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which you shall possess served their gods, on the high mountains, and on the hills, and under every green tree:">Deuteronomy 12:2-3</a>. The prohibition of the other class of high places--constantly disobeyed by some even of the better kings--appears to have had two distinct objects--(<span class= "ital">a</span>) to guard against all local corruptions of God's service, and all idolatry, worshipping Him (as at Bethel) under visible forms; (<span class= "ital">b</span>) to prevent the breach of national unity, by the congregation of the separate tribes round local sanctuaries. But besides these objects, it served (<span class= "ital">c</span>), as a very remarkable spiritual education for the worship of the invisible God, without the aid of local and visible emblems of His presence, in accordance with the higher prophetic teaching, and preparatory for the perfect spirituality of the future. It is, indeed, hardly to be conceived that there should not have been before the Captivity some places of non-sacrificial worship, in some degree like the synagogues of the period after the exile, although not as yet developed into a fully organised system. Unless we refer <a href="/psalms/74-8.htm" title="They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.">Psalm 74:8</a> to the Maccabaean times, it must be supposed to describe the Chaldaean invasion, as destroying not only the Temple, but also "all the houses of God"--properly "assemblies," and in our Bible version actually translated "synagogues "--"in the land." But these places of prayer and praise and instruction would be different in their whole idea from the "high places" rivalling the Temple. Up to this time it is clear that, even under Samuel and David, sacrificial worship elsewhere than in the Tabernacle was used without scruple, though certainly alien from the spirit of the Mosaic Law as to the supreme sacredness of the "place which God should choose to place his name there." (See, for example, <a href="/1_samuel/7-10.htm" title="And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day on the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.">1Samuel 7:10</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/13-9.htm" title="And Saul said, Bring here a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.">1Samuel 13:9</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/14-35.htm" title="And Saul built an altar to the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built to the LORD.">1Samuel 14:35</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/16-5.htm" title="And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice to the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.">1Samuel 16:5</a>; <a href="/1_chronicles/21-26.htm" title="And David built there an altar to the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called on the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire on the altar of burnt offering.">1Chronicles 21:26</a>.) After the solemn consecration of the Temple, the circumstances and the character of such worship were altogether changed. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Only</span> [The word perhaps signifies "that there was one exception to the flourishing condition of things which the writer has been describing" (Rawlinson), though the people are nowhere blamed for sacrificing on the high places, and Solomon's sacrifice at "the great high place "was full of blessing. The idea rather is that just as he was obliged to bring his Egyptian wife into the city of David, because his palace was not yet finished, so the people were compelled to sacrifice on the high places, because the temple was not yet built (Keil), and "the place" where God would put His name had only just been chosen (<a href="/1_chronicles/22-1.htm">1 Chronicles 22:1</a>)] <span class="cmt_word">the people sacrificed</span> [Heb. <span class="accented">were sacrificing, i.e.</span>, habitually, constantly] <span class="cmt_word">in high places</span> [All nations have chosen hill tops for acts of worship, perhaps as being nearer heaven. "Even Abraham built an altar to the Lord on a mountain near Bethel (<a href="/genesis/12-7.htm">Genesis 12:7, 8</a>; cf. 22:2, 9; 31:54)." And the use of high places for this purpose was not <span class="accented">distinctly</span> condemned in the Law. It is true the Hebrews were commanded to have but one place of sacrifice (<a href="/leviticus/17-9.htm">Leviticus 17:9</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/12-5.htm">Deuteronomy 12:5, 11, 13, 26, 27</a>; cf. <a href="/joshua/22-29.htm">Joshua 22:29</a>), and this no doubt was, if not an indirect prohibition, a discouragement of such sanctuaries. It has been held, however, that this command was purely prospective, and it is certainly remarkable that even when the Israelites were settled in the promised land, and the tabernacle was set up (<a href="/joshua/18-1.htm">Joshua 18:1</a>), altars were constantly built and sacrifices offered on high places, and sometimes, as in the case of Gideon (<a href="/judges/6-26.htm">Judges 6:26</a>), and Manoah (<a href="/judges/13-19.htm">Judges 13:19, 20</a>), by express Divine command. Later on we find Samuel (<a href="/1_samuel/7-9.htm">1 Samuel 7:9, 10</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/11-15.htm">1 Samuel 11:15</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/16-5.htm">1 Samuel 16:5</a>), Saul (1 Samuel 13:9; 14:35), David (<a href="/1_chronicles/21-26.htm">1 Chronicles 21:26</a>), Solomon and Elijah (<a href="/1_kings/18-30.htm">1 Kings 18:30</a>), offering sacrifices in various places, which they could not possibly have done had it seemed to them that this was condemned beforehand by the Law. It is highly probable, therefore, that though the contemporaries of Joshua took a different view (as <a href="/joshua/22-15.htm">Joshua 22:15-31</a> proves), the men of a later age excused themselves on the ground stated in the text, that "there was no house built unto the name of the Lord." It has been held by some that "had they not sacrificed and burnt incense on high places, they could not have sacrificed or burnt incense at all" (Bp. Horsley); but this seems to overlook the fact that there was one place provided for sacrifices - the door of the tabernacle — and that for some reason or other they sacrificed elsewhere. And the reason, no doubt, was the one assigned by the historian. It should be added that this term "high place" (<span class="hebrew">בָּמָה</span>) came to be used of <span class="accented">all</span> places of worship, not only on heights, but even those in valleys (<a href="/2_kings/17-9.htm">2 Kings 17:9</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/7-31.htm">Jeremiah 7:31</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/32-35.htm">Jeremiah 32:35</a>). The Bamah sometimes consisted of an altar only, but as a rule, there was a shrine or sanctuary, erected hard by (<a href="/1_kings/13-32.htm">1 Kings 13:32</a>; <a href="/2_kings/17-29.htm">2 Kings 17:29</a>; <a href="/2_kings/23-19.htm">2 Kings 23:19</a>), the <span class="accented">Beth-Bamah</span>, for which the word <span class="accented">Bamah</span> is sometimes loosely employed (<a href="/1_kings/11-7.htm">1 Kings 11:7</a>; <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a>; <a href="/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3</a>)], <span class="cmt_word">because there was no house built unto the name of the Lord until those days.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_kings/3-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The people,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">however,</span><br /><span class="heb">רַ֣ק</span> <span class="translit">(raq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7535.htm">Strong's 7535: </a> </span><span class="str2">But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were still sacrificing</span><br /><span class="heb">מְזַבְּחִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(mə·zab·bə·ḥîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2076.htm">Strong's 2076: </a> </span><span class="str2">To slaughter for sacrifice</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on the high places</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּבָּמ֑וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(bab·bā·mō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1116.htm">Strong's 1116: </a> </span><span class="str2">An elevation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֠י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a house</span><br /><span class="heb">בַ֙יִת֙</span> <span class="translit">(ḇa·yiṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the Name</span><br /><span class="heb">לְשֵׁ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(lə·šêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> </span><span class="str2">A name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">yet</span><br /><span class="heb">עַ֖ד</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">been built.</span><br /><span class="heb">נִבְנָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(niḇ·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1129.htm">Strong's 1129: </a> </span><span class="str2">To build</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/3-2.htm">1 Kings 3:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_kings/3-2.htm">1 Kings 3:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_kings/3-2.htm">1 Kings 3:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_kings/3-2.htm">1 Kings 3:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_kings/3-2.htm">1 Kings 3:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/3-2.htm">1 Kings 3:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/3-2.htm">1 Kings 3:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/3-2.htm">1 Kings 3:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/3-2.htm">1 Kings 3:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_kings/3-2.htm">1 Kings 3:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_kings/3-2.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 3:2 Only the people sacrificed in the high (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/3-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 3:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 3:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/3-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 3:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 3:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>