In 1 Kings 15:14; 2 Chronicles 14:5 how far did Asa’s removal of the high places go?

These two passages are sometimes cited as contradictions in the Bible. The one passage says that the high places were not removed. The other passages says they were removed.


1 Kings 15:14 “But the high places were not removed . . . “
2 Chronicles 14:5 “Also he {Asa} took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images . . . “


In 1 Kings 15:14 and 2 Chron. 15:17 the reference is to the complete removal of the high places. Notice 2 Chron. 15:17 says the high places were not taken out of Israel. This implies that in Judah, where the King had authority, the high places were removed, but in Israel where he did not have control, the high places remained. A state of war existed between Asa, King of Judah, and Baasha, King of Israel (1 Kings 15:32), as there had been between Abijam, King of Judah (the father of Asa) and Jeroboam, King of Israel. (1 Kings 15:7) Asa, therefore, took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images (2 Chron. 14:5), but was unable to complete his reform in Israel, hence: “But the high places were not taken away out of Israel . . .” (2 Chron. 15:17). The allusion might also be to the high places not removed in the country areas as distinct from the cities of Judah.

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