1 Kings 11:7

Ver. 7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Mesh,.... Of this idol, [See comments on Jeremiah 48:7], an high place for which he ordered to be built, or at least

Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

Then did Solomon build, i. e. suffer to be built, or gave money for it. A high place, i.e. an altar upon the high place, as the manner of the heathens was: See Poole "" See Poole "". In the hill that is before Jerusalem, i.e. in the Mount of Olives, which was nigh unto Jerusalem, , and from this act was called the mount of corruption, ; idolatry being often called and esteemed a corruption.

1 Kings 11:7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that [is] before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.Ver. 7. For Chemosh.] Unde Kùìïò et Comessatio. Some take it to be Bacchus, others Pluto. In the hill that is before Jerusalem.] Even in Mount Olivet - called for that cause, the "mount of corruption" and of "scandal" - in the very face of God’ s house; so that God never looked out of the sanctuary, but he saw that vile hill of abominations.

(7) On the hill that is before Jerusalem.—evidently on the Mount of Olives (part of which still traditionally bears the name of the “Mount of Offence”), facing and rivalling the Temple on Mount Moriah. Tophet, the place of actual sacrifice to Molech, was “in the valley of the son of Hinnom” (2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 7:31), which (see Jeremiah 19:2) was east or south-east. of the city, and would lie not far from the foot of the mountain.

Verse 7. The hill that is before Jerusalem] This was the Mount of Olives.

7. a high place] That ‘high places’ were not abolished in Solomon’s time we can see from 1 Kings 3:2-3, where see notes. The idea was that on a lofty height the worshipper drew nearer to his god, and so was able to offer a more acceptable sacrifice. Hence the erection of altars on the tops of hills, and these were frequently accompanied with some house or shrine for the image of the god, and hence we read of the ‘houses of the high places.’ Cf. 1 Kings 12:31; 1 Kings 13:32; 2 Kings 17:29; 2 Kings 17:32; 2 Kings 23:19. This form of worshipping was so firmly rooted among the Israelites that we read of it constantly down to the reign of Josiah, by whom at length it appears to have been put down (2 Kings 23:19). for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab] Chemosh, though generally called the national god of the Moabites, is said (Judges 11:24) to have been also the god of the Ammonites. He is first mentioned in Numbers 21:29. The worship now introduced into Jerusalem by Solomon was put down by Josiah (2 Kings 23:13). There is nothing in any of the Biblical notices to guide us to an opinion either about the meaning of the name or the nature of the worship offered to Chemosh. An ancient Jewish tradition relates that Chemosh was worshipped under the form of a black star, hence some have identified him with Saturn. But this is no more than conjecture. Milton alludes to the identification of Chemosh with Baal-peor: ‘Peor his other name, when he enticed Israel in Sittim on their march from Nile.’ Par. L. I. 412. in the hill that is before Jerusalem] The hill facing Jerusalem is the mount of Olives. It is described in Ezekiel 11:23 as ‘the mountain which is on the east side of the city,’ and in Zechariah 14:4 as ‘the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east.’ The LXX. (Vat.) has omitted any mention of ‘the hill before Jerusalem.’ Milton alludes to the position of these idolatrous erections: ‘the wisest heart Of Solomon he led by fraud to build His temple right against the temple of God On that opprobrious hill.’ Par. L. I. 400. The last words allude to a name given to this height in consequence of these buildings, ‘Mons offensionis.’ This name is said (Dictionary of Bible, 11. 627) to be of late origin. But the words occur in the Vulgate (2 Kings 23:13) ‘ad dexteram partem montis offensionis.’ and for Molech] See above on Milcom in 1 Kings 11:5. The LXX. translates the proper name, and reads καὶτῷβασιλεῖ. Milton also reminds us that the word could be translated: ‘First Moloch, horrid king, besmeared with blood Of human sacrifice, and parents’ tears Though for the noise of drums and timbrels loud Their children’s cries unheard.’ The allusion in the last words is to the name ‘Tophet,’ as the valley of the son of Hinnom was called where the Moloch-worship went on.

Chemosh (Numbers 21:29 note), seems to have been widely worshipped in Western Asia.

7. Chemosh — The national god of the Moabites; worshipped also by the Ammonites, probably with abominable practices similar to those used in the worship of Molech. See on Judges 11:24; Numbers 21:29.