2 Chronicles 14:3

Took away the altars. This verse presents a picture of the terrible idolatry into which the nation had lapsed since the reign of David. The record of Asa’s reformatory movement in 1 Kings 15:12 begins with the statement that “he took away the sodomites out of the land,” a revelation of the sad pass to which the nation had come.

High places. Compare 2 Chron. 15:17 and 1 Kings 15:14. The high places removed by Asa were evidently those devoted to the worship of idols, for they are mentioned in that connection. However, Asa either permitted the unauthorized local sanctuaries dedicated to the worship of Jehovah to continue, or, if his campaign was directed against all high places, it was not completely successful, for “the high places were not taken away” (see on 2 Chron. 15:17; 1 Kings 15:14).

Images. Heb. masseboth, literally, “pillars.” These were sacred stones that were common in Palestine in those days and formed part of the corrupt forms of religion native to Palestine. Moses commanded the destruction of the masseboth (see on Deut. 12:3; 16:22). Some think these “pillars” were phallic emblems.

Groves. Heb. ’asherim, wooden poles, or sacred trees, emblems of the Canaanite goddess of fertility (see on Judges 3:7). The ’asherim are frequently mentioned in connection with the worship of Baal (Judges 6:25, 28). Moses forbade the Israelites to place a “grove” near an altar for the Lord and commanded that such idolatrous emblems be destroyed (see on Deut. 7:5; 16:21).