Book of 2 Kings - Chapter 23 - Verse 13

In this verse, it is described how King Solomon built high places for the worship of pagan gods, which were seen as abominations by the people of Israel. The high places were built on the right hand of the mount of corruption, highlighting the defilement of a sacred location. The mention of Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Milcom as the gods worshipped at these high places reflects the influence of foreign cultures on Solomon and the Israelites. Ashtoreth was a fertility goddess worshipped by the Zidonians, Chemosh was the god of the Moabites, and Milcom was the god of the Ammonites. By defiling the high places with the worship of these gods, Solomon turned away from the monotheistic worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. This verse serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of idolatry and the importance of staying true to one's faith.

Within this verse, there is a deep theological significance found in the actions of the king defiling the high places built by Solomon for the idols of foreign gods. The mention of Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Milcom signifies the presence of pagan worship practices within the land of Israel, leading to the corruption of the people. Ashtoreth was a fertility goddess worshipped by the Zidonians, Chemosh was the national god of the Moabites, and Milcom was the god of the Ammonites. These gods represented false idols that led the people away from the true worship of God. The act of defiling these high places symbolizes the eradication of idolatry and the restoration of true worship to Jerusalem. Through this verse, we see the importance of staying faithful to God and avoiding the temptations of worshipping false gods that can lead to spiritual corruption.