1 Kings 3:2

“Only the people sacrificed in high places, etc.] On the tops of their houses, on hills and mountains, and particularly at the high place in Gibeon, where the tabernacle was: because there was no house built unto the name of the Lord until those days; to which they were obliged to repair as afterwards, and there offer their sacrifices, as the Lord had commanded, (<051205>Deuteronomy 12:5,6).”

“The word “only” introduces a contrast. The writer means to say that there was one exception to the flourishing condition of things which he has been describing, namely, that “the people sacrificed in high-places.” (Compare the next verse.) The Law did not forbid “high-places” directly, but only by implication. It required the utter destruction of all the high-places which had been polluted by idolatrous rites Deuteronomy 12:2; and the injunction to offer sacrifices nowhere except at the door of the tabernacle Leviticus 17:3-5 was an indirect prohibition of them, or, at least, of the use which the Israelites made of them; but there was some real reason to question whether this was a command…”

“Only - This particle is used here, and Kg1 3:3, as an exception to Solomon's integrity and as a blemish to his government, That he himself both permitted and practised this which was expressly forbidden, Lev 17:3-4; Deu 12:13-14. High places - Which were groves, or other convenient places upon hills, in which the patriarchs used to offer up their sacrifices to God; and from them this custom was derived both to the Gentiles and the Jews: and in them the Gentiles sacrificed to idols, the Hebrews to the true God. Because, &c. - Which reason was not sufficient, for there was a tabernacle, to which they were as much confined as to the temple, Exo 40:34-38, &c. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 3:3”

“3:2-3 The Ark of the Covenant sat in David’s tent in Jerusalem before the Temple was built, and the people . . . sacrificed their offerings at local places of worship (see study note on 8:1). However, this detracted from unified worship at a central sanctuary (12:1-24) and increased the danger of mixing with Canaanite religious practices. Israel’s worship at such places was forbidden (Deut 12:1-14).”

“the people: It was not right to offer sacrifices in any place but where the tabernacle and ark were; and wherever they were, whether on a high place or a plain, sacrifices might be lawfully offered, previously to building of the temple. The tabernacle was now at Gibeon ( Ch2 1:3), which was therefore called the great high place; whither we find Solomon, without censure, repaired to sacrifice. Kg1 22:43; Lev 17:3-6, Lev 26:30; Deu 12:2-5; Ch2 33:17 was no: Kg1 5:3; Ch1 17:4-6, Ch1 28:3-6; Act 7:47-49 3 Kings (1 Kings) 3:3”