high places
1 Kings 3:2
3:2 high places. Worship in high places was forbidden in the Mosaic law (Leviticus 26:30) because of its universal association with the idolatrous polytheistic pantheism of other nations. Such practice probably originated at the Tower of Babel, then was carried worldwide by the subsequent dispersion. At the same time the people had been commanded to bring their sacrifices to the tabernacle, and the tabernacle at this time had been erected on the high place at Gibeon (I Chronicles 16:39; 21:29), after temporary sojourns at Gilgal, Shiloh and Nob. It is possible that this situation contributed to David’s strong desire to build a permanent temple for the worship of God at Jerusalem.