1 Kings 14:23

For they also [ i.e; they as well as the ten tribes] built them high places [ i.e; houses of high places. See on 1 Kings 3:2 and 1 Kings 13:32 ] and images [Heb. pillars or statues ( מַחֵּבוֹת ; LXX ; στήλας ). These were, no doubt, originally memorial pillars or stones, erected to commemorate some Divine manifestation, and with no thought of idolatry (see Genesis 31:13 ; Genesis 35:14 , Genesis 35:20 ; Genesis 28:18 ). But the Canaanites erected pillars, which were also statues or images, to their god, Baal. Hence we read of the "image" ( מַחֵּבָה ) of Baal ( 2 Kings 3:2 ; 2 Kings 10:26 , 2 Kings 10:27 ; cf. 2 Kings 18:4 ; 2 Kings 23:14 ); and hence also we find such images frequently mentioned side by side with the so-called "groves," i.e; the "Asherahs" (verse 15; Exodus 34:13 ; Deuteronomy 7:5 ; Deuteronomy 12:3 ; Deuteronomy 16:21 , etc.) Both the Mazzebah and the Asherah, consequently, was an upright pillar or post, but the former was of stone, the latter of wood; the former dedicated to Baal, the god of nature, of generation; the latter to Ashtoreth, the goddess of nature and productive power. The gradual transition of the memorial pillar into the Baal statue is hinted at in Le 26:1. It is observable that these idolatrous and immoral rites seem to have found a home in Judah before they were introduced into Israel] and groves [ Asherahs, idols; see on verse 15. This verse proves conclusively that the translation "grove" is a mistaken one] on every high hill, and under every green tree. [The phrase is from the Pentateuch, Deuteronomy 12:2 ; cf. Jeremiah 2:20 ; Jeremiah 3:6 ; Hosea 4:13 . "Probably the evil example of Maachah, his favourite wife ( 2 Chronicles 11:20-22 ), whose idolatrous tastes were displayed under Asa ( 2 Chronicles 15:16 ), was not without a pernicious effect on Rehoboam" (Wordsworth).]