1 Kings 14:15

Beyond the river. The Euphrates. Here is foretold the future captivity. The pronouncement of judgment, however, was conditional, and would be carried out only if the nation did not repent (Jer. 18:7, 8).

Groves. Heb. ’asherim. See on Ex. 34:13; Deut. 7:5; Judges 6:25. The native religions of Palestine were fertility cults, consisting of the worship of male and female divinities, and involving the grossest immoralities. Groves, tree stumps, or wooden poles were symbols of the female divinity, commonly known as Asherah. The Baalim were male gods, and both were often found close together. Thus Gideon threw down the altar of Baal and cut down the grove that was by it (Judges 6:25-30). God’s people were expressly forbidden to plant an Asherah of any tree near the altar of the Lord (Deut. 16:21). Israel was carried into captivity because it had “made a grove” and “served Baal” (2 Kings 17:16). Manasseh incurred the Lord’s displeasure because “he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel” (2 Kings 21:3). Josiah broke down “the altar at Beth-el,” which Jeroboam had made, and “burned the grove” (2 Kings 23:15).