1 Kings 15:14

“But the high places were not removed, etc.] That is, such as had been used for the worship of God, before the temple was built, which yet now should have been removed, since sacrifice was now only to be offered there; but he might think they were still lawful, or the people had such an opinion of them, that it was difficult and dangerous to attempt to remove them; otherwise high places for idolatry were removed by him, (<141403>2 Chronicles 14:3), nevertheless, Asa’s heart was perfect all his days; he was sincere in the worship of God, and did everything to the best of his knowledge and capacity for restoring true religion, and destroying idolatry.”

“2 Chronicles 14:3 would seem at first sight to imply that he entirely put down the worship. But idolatry, if at one time put down, crept back afterward; or while Asa endeavored to sweep it wholly away, his subjects would not be controlled, but found a means of maintaining it in some places - not perhaps in the cities (see 2 Chronicles 14:5), but in remote country districts, where the royal authority was weaker, and secrecy more practicable. return to 'Top of Page'”

“High places - Ch2 14:3. He took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places where they were worshipped: but as for those high places where the true God was worshipped he did not take them away; partly, because he thought there was no great evil in them, which had been used by David and Solomon, and other good men; partly, because he thought the removal of them might do more hurt than their continuance, by occasioning the total neglect of God's worship by many of the people, who either could not, or, through want of faith and zeal, would not go up to Jerusalem to worship, now especially, when the Israelites, formerly their friends, were become their enemies, and watched all…”

“15:14-15 Although he allowed the pagan shrines to remain, Asa’s heart remained . . . faithful to the Lord. The pagan shrines apparently became locations for worshiping the Lord. In his latter days, Asa’s spiritual ardor appears to have diminished (2 Chr 16:7-12).”

“the high places: Kg1 22:43; Kg2 12:3, Kg2 14:4, Kg2 15:4; Ch2 14:3, Ch2 14:5 was perfect: Kg1 15:3, Kg1 8:61, Kg1 11:4; Ch2 15:17, Ch2 15:18, Ch2 16:9, Ch2 25:2 3 Kings (1 Kings) 15:15”