Nevertheless, the high places were not removed;The term "high places" refers to elevated sites where people worshiped deities, often involving altars and sacred objects. These locations were prevalent in ancient Israel and Judah, despite God's command to worship exclusively at the temple in Jerusalem (
Deuteronomy 12:2-5). The persistence of high places indicates a failure to fully adhere to God's instructions, reflecting a recurring theme of incomplete obedience among the kings of Israel and Judah. This phrase highlights the tension between centralized worship in Jerusalem and local religious practices. The failure to remove high places is a common critique of many kings, including those who were otherwise considered righteous, such as Asa and Jehoshaphat (
1 Kings 15:14; 22:43).
the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there.
Sacrificing and burning incense were central acts of worship in ancient Israel, intended to honor God and seek His favor. However, when performed at unauthorized sites, these acts were considered idolatrous or syncretistic, blending the worship of Yahweh with pagan practices. This behavior reflects the people's attachment to traditional local worship sites and their resistance to religious reforms. The persistence of these practices underscores the challenge of leading the nation back to exclusive worship of Yahweh. It also foreshadows the eventual downfall of both Israel and Judah, as their continued idolatry leads to divine judgment (2 Kings 17:7-23;2 Kings 21:10-15). This phrase serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands and the dangers of compromising true worship.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Joash (Jehoash)King of Judah who reigned for 40 years. He is noted for repairing the temple but failed to remove the high places.
2.
High PlacesElevated sites where people worshiped and offered sacrifices, often associated with idolatry and syncretism.
3.
JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, where Joash reigned as king.
4.
Temple of the LORDThe central place of worship in Jerusalem, which Joash sought to repair and restore.
5.
Priests and LevitesReligious leaders responsible for temple worship and sacrifices, involved in the temple's restoration under Joash.
Teaching Points
Incomplete ObedienceJoash's failure to remove the high places serves as a reminder that partial obedience to God is not enough. We must strive for complete faithfulness in our walk with Him.
The Danger of CompromiseAllowing high places to remain represents compromise with the world. Believers are called to be set apart and not conform to worldly practices.
The Importance of True WorshipWorship should be directed solely to God and conducted in the manner He prescribes. We must guard against idolatry in any form.
Leadership ResponsibilityLeaders have a duty to guide their people in righteousness. Joash's failure to remove the high places highlights the impact of leadership on spiritual health.
Legacy of FaithfulnessOur actions and decisions leave a legacy. Joash's initial reforms were overshadowed by his later failures, reminding us to remain steadfast throughout our lives.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Kings 12:3?
2.Why were the high places not removed according to 2 Kings 12:3?
3.How can we identify and remove "high places" in our own lives today?
4.What does 2 Kings 12:3 teach about partial obedience to God's commands?
5.How does 2 Kings 12:3 connect with the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3?
6.What lessons can we learn from the people's continued sacrifices on high places?
7.Why did the high places remain in 2 Kings 12:3 despite Jehoash's reforms?
8.What does 2 Kings 12:3 reveal about Israel's religious practices during Jehoash's reign?
9.How does 2 Kings 12:3 challenge the effectiveness of Jehoash's leadership?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 12?
11.In 2 Kings 12:3, why were the high places not removed if Jehoash was supposedly following God’s commands?
12.How can 2 Chronicles 27:1–2 claim Jotham faithfully followed God if “the high places” were not removed, suggesting partial disobedience?
13.Does Solomon's sacrifice at high places (1 Kings 3:2-3) conflict with scriptural bans on worship outside the central sanctuary?
14.In 1 Kings 15:14, why are the high places said to remain, yet 2 Chronicles 14:3 claims Asa removed them?What Does 2 Kings 12:3 Mean
Nevertheless- A word of contrast. Verses 1–2 celebrate that “Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days he was instructed by Jehoiada the priest.” Nevertheless signals that something significant was left unfinished.
- Scripture often layers commendation with a sober “nevertheless” (1 Kings 15:14;Revelation 2:4). It reminds us that partial obedience, even in a largely faithful life, still matters to God.
the high places were not removed- High places were unauthorized worship sites scattered across Judah. God had already commanded, “Tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones” (Deuteronomy 12:2–3).
- Leaving them standing preserved a foothold for compromise. Centuries later Hezekiah’s reform would succeed where Joash faltered: “He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones” (2 Kings 18:4).
- The verse shows that good leadership must be thorough; half-measures leave room for future sin (2 Kings 14:4; 15:4).
the people continued sacrificing- Worship continued, but at the wrong location. God had centralized sacrifice at the Jerusalem temple (Leviticus 17:3–4).
- Activity does not equal obedience. Samuel told Saul, “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22).
- The people followed tradition instead of revelation, a pattern Isaiah later rebuked: “These people draw near with their mouths … yet their hearts are far from Me” (Isaiah 29:13).
and burning incense there- Incense symbolized prayer rising to God (Psalm 141:2). Burning it elsewhere blurred the line between true worship and pagan ritual (Jeremiah 19:13).
- God specified where incense belonged: “Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it every morning” at the golden altar in the sanctuary (Exodus 30:7–9).
- The people’s well-intended devotion became disobedient practice, illustrating how sincerity cannot cancel out clear commands (2 Chronicles 26:16–18).
summary2 Kings 12:3 teaches that even a righteous king like Joash left pockets of compromise. High places survived, and the people kept old habits. God values wholehearted, not partial, obedience. The verse calls believers to dismantle every rival altar in life and worship Him wholly, in the way He has plainly revealed.
(3)
But.--
Save that; as at
2Kings 15:4. (For the statement of the verse, comp.
1Kings 15:14.)
Sacrificed . . . burnt.--Were wont to sacrifice . . . burn. The worship of the high places continued even under theregime of Jehoiada.
Verse 3. -
But the high places were not taken away. So it had been with the best of the previous kings of Judah, as Asa (
1 Kings 15:14) and Jehoshaphat (
1 Kings 22:43); and so it was with the other "good" kings (
2 Kings 14:4;
2 Kings 15:4, 35) until the reign of Hezekiah, by whom the high places were removed (see below,
2 Kings 18:4). We must remember that it was Jehovah who was worshipped in the "high places," not Baal, or Moloch, or Ashtoreth (see the comment on
1 Kings 15:14).
The people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places. The people, not the king, in the earlier portion of his reign; but in the later portion, probably the king also (see
2 Chronicles 24:17, 18).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Nevertheless,רַ֥ק(raq)Adverb
Strong's 7535:But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, neverthelessthe high placesהַבָּמ֖וֹת(hab·bā·mō·wṯ)Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1116:An elevationwere notלֹא־(lō-)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noremoved;סָ֑רוּ(sā·rū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5493:To turn asidethe peopleהָעָ֛ם(hā·‘ām)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flockcontinuedע֥וֹד(‘ō·wḏ)Adverb
Strong's 5750:Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, moresacrificingמְזַבְּחִ֥ים(mə·zab·bə·ḥîm)Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 2076:To slaughter for sacrificeand burning incenseוּֽמְקַטְּרִ֖ים(ū·mə·qaṭ·ṭə·rîm)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 6999:To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire[there].בַּבָּמֽוֹת׃(bab·bā·mō·wṯ)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1116:An elevation
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OT History: 2 Kings 12:3 However the high places were not taken (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)