Why did Solomon worship at a high place?

Response

In 2 Chronicles 1, it is mentioned that Solomon, early in his reign, worshipped at a high place. Verse 3 states, “Solomon and the entire assembly went to the high place at Gibeon, as God’s tent of meeting was located there, which Moses, the servant of the LORD, had made in the wilderness.”

The passage clearly explains that Solomon worshipped at this high place because the tabernacle (also known as the tent of meeting) was situated there. This tabernacle was the same one that the Israelites, led by Moses, had built in the wilderness many years earlier. Before the construction of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem, the tabernacle was the designated place for worship.

Interestingly, King David had previously worshipped the Lord at this high place in Gibeon. 1 Chronicles 16:39 mentions, “David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon.” Along with the tabernacle, there was the altar of burnt offering «For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of the burnt offering, were at that season in the high place at Gibeon. », (see 1 Chronicles 21:29).

While in Gibeon, “Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the LORD in the tent of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it” «And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it. », (2 Chronicles 1:6). That night, the Lord appeared to Solomon and offered to grant him any request. When Solomon asked for wisdom, God promised to give it to him, along with great wealth, possessions, and honor (verse 12).

In 2 Chronicles 2, Solomon prepared to build.

The Jewish temple was established as a sacred site for the worship of the Lord by His people. First Kings 6:38 records that it took seven years to complete the construction of the temple. Upon its completion, Solomon placed the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant inside, designating the temple as the central place for Jewish worship.

Despite later being led astray into idol worship by his numerous wives, Solomon’s act of worship at a high place in 2 Chronicles 1 was commendable and honored by God. It was only after the temple’s construction that Gibeon ceased to be a site for worshiping the Lord.

Following Solomon’s era, many wicked kings of Israel resorted to using “high places” for the worship of false deities. For instance, King Jehoram of Judah “erected high places on the hills of Judah, leading the people of Jerusalem into idolatry and causing Judah to stray” «Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto. », (2 Chronicles 21:11). In most cases, high places were linked to false worship. However, during Solomon’s worship at the high place in Gibeon, he offered worship at the tabernacle and presented sacrifices to the Lord God.