1-kings 15:14

The high places were not removed - He was not able to make a thorough reformation; this was reserved for his son Jehoshaphat.

Asa's heart was perfect - He worshipped the true God, and zealously promoted his service; see on 1 Kings 15:3 (note). And even the high places which he did not remove were probably those where the true God alone was worshipped; for that there were such high places the preceding history amply proves, and Jarchi intimates that these were places which individuals had erected for the worship of Jehovah.

2 Chronicles 14:3 would seem at first sight to imply that he entirely put down the worship. But idolatry, if at one time put down, crept back afterward; or while Asa endeavored to sweep it wholly away, his subjects would not be controlled, but found a means of maintaining it in some places - not perhaps in the cities (see 2 Chronicles 14:5), but in remote country districts, where the royal authority was weaker, and secrecy more practicable.

15:14 High places - 2 Chronicles 14:3 .He took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high placeswhere they were worshipped: but as for those high places where the trueGod was worshipped he did not take them away; partly, because he thoughtthere was no great evil in them, which had been used by David andSolomon, and other good men; partly, because he thought the removalof them might do more hurt than their continuance, by occasioning thetotal neglect of God's worship by many of the people, who either couldnot, or, through want of faith and zeal, would not go up to Jerusalemto worship, now especially, when the Israelites, formerly their friends,were become their enemies, and watched all opportunities to invade ormolest them. Was perfect - That is, he sincerely and constantly adheredto the worship of God. Though he could not hinder the people from usingthe high places, yet he entirely devoted himself to the worship of Godin the manner and place prescribed by him.