2 Kings 23:13

And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.

2 Kings 23:13 (KJV)

Context

This verse records part of King Josiah’s religious reforms in Judah. Josiah became king at a young age and sought spiritual revival for the nation. The high places were sites of pagan worship, commonly associated with idolatry and false gods. They stood before Jerusalem, on the right hand (the south) of the mount of corruption, a name for the Mount of Olives given because of the corrupt worship performed there.

Meaning

Solomon the king of Israel had built these high places for Ashtoreth, the abomination of the Zidonians; for Chemosh, the abomination of the Moabites; and for Milcom, the abomination of the children of Ammon. Ashtoreth was a fertility goddess worshiped by the Canaanites and neighboring peoples. Chemosh was the national deity of Moab. Milcom, also known as Molech, was the god of the Ammonites. The verse says the king defiled these high places, meaning he desecrated them and made them unfit for worship. This act was part of Josiah’s broader reform to purge idolatry from the land.

Biblical connections

The passage highlights the depth of idolatry that had infiltrated Jerusalem and Judah. It reveals that even Solomon, despite his wisdom, fell into idolatry, and later generations had to deal with the consequences. The first commandment forbids having other gods before the true God (Exodus 20:3), and Deuteronomy 6:4 calls for exclusive devotion to the Lord. Josiah’s actions directly countered the very sins Solomon had introduced, showing that faithfulness to God requires removing what dishonors Him.

Application

Leaders exert a profound influence on the spiritual direction of a nation; Solomon’s actions had long-lasting consequences, fostering the spread of false worship in Israel. Believers are called to examine their lives and remove anything that replaces God or hinders their relationship with Him—whether physical idols or the idols of the heart such as wealth, power, or personal desire. The defiling of these places demonstrates Josiah’s zeal for the Lord and his commitment to cleansing the land of false worship.

Reflection

Although the historical setting is ancient Judah, this passage serves as a timeless warning. We must guard against any form of idolatry or false worship that can distract us from wholehearted service to God. We should also be discerning of the influences and teachings of leaders, testing everything against Scripture rather than following teachings that deviate from biblical truth.