2 Chronicles 11:15
And hee ordeined him priests for the high places, and for the deuils, and for the calues which he had made. 2 Chronicles 11:15 (KJV)
This verse is part of a larger passage that describes the reign of King Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, and the division of the kingdom of Israel. In 2 Chronicles 11 we read about how Rehoboam became king over the southern kingdom of Judah after the ten northern tribes rebelled against his rule. In an effort to consolidate his authority and prevent the people of Judah from going to Jerusalem, where the temple of the Lord was located, Rehoboam took certain actions. One of those actions mentioned in verse 15 is that Rehoboam “ordained him priests for the high places.” This refers to the establishment of alternative places of worship outside of Jerusalem. In ancient Israel, “high places” were elevated locations where people would offer sacrifices and worship gods other than the Lord, and they were often associated with idolatry and pagan worship practices.
Furthermore, the verse states that Rehoboam also appointed priests for “the devils” and “the calves which he had made.” This suggests that Rehoboam allowed the worship of false gods and idols. The reference to “devils” indicates the involvement of demonic or evil spiritual forces, which were commonly associated with idol worship in the ancient Near East. The mention of “calves” likely refers to the golden calf idols that were famously associated with idolatry during the time of Moses and the Exodus.
Rehoboam’s actions in ordaining priests for the high places and permitting the worship of false gods and idols were in direct violation of the commandments given by God to the Israelites. The First Commandment, for example, states, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). By promoting idolatry and establishing alternative places of worship, Rehoboam led the people of Judah astray from the true worship of the Lord. The consequences of these actions became evident in the subsequent verses and chapters, as the kingdom of Judah faced various challenges and eventually fell into apostasy.
It is important to note that not all of the kings of Judah followed in Rehoboam’s footsteps. Some later kings, such as Hezekiah and Josiah, sought to abolish idolatry and restore true worship in Judah. In conclusion, 2 Chronicles 11:15 serves as a reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the consequences that arise when people turn away from the worship of the one true God. It highlights the importance of remaining faithful to God’s commandments and not allowing false gods or idols to take His place in our lives.
