1 Kings 22:46

And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land.

And the remnant {H3499} of the sodomites {H6945}, which remained {H7604} in the days {H3117} of his father {H1} Asa {H609}, he took {H1197} out of the land {H776}.

He rid the land of the male and female cult-prostitutes remaining from the time of his father Asa.

He banished from the land the male shrine prostitutes who remained from the days of his father Asa.

And the remnant of the sodomites, that remained in the days of his father Asa, he put away out of the land.

Commentary

1 Kings 22:46 describes a significant action taken by King Jehoshaphat of Judah, specifically his efforts to purify the land from persistent idolatrous practices. This verse highlights his commitment to spiritual reform, continuing and completing a task his father, Asa, had begun.

Context of 1 Kings 22:46

This verse is found within the narrative detailing the reign of Jehoshaphat, son of Asa, over the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Jehoshaphat is consistently portrayed as one of Judah's good kings, who "walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD" (1 Kings 22:43). Despite Asa's earlier efforts to cleanse the land of idolatry, including the removal of male cult prostitutes (1 Kings 15:12), some remnants of these pagan practices had persisted. Jehoshaphat took decisive action to complete this spiritual housecleaning, demonstrating his zeal for the pure worship of Yahweh.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Religious Purity and Reformation: The verse underscores the ongoing struggle against idolatry and the importance of maintaining religious purity in the land. Jehoshaphat's actions were a vital step in purging foreign, illicit worship from Judah.
  • Incomplete Reformation: It reveals that even the reforms of a good king like Asa could be incomplete, leaving "remnants" of sin. This emphasizes the persistent nature of spiritual challenges and the need for continued vigilance.
  • Jehoshaphat's Commitment: By finishing the task his father started, Jehoshaphat demonstrated his deep devotion to God's law and his determination to uphold righteousness in his kingdom. His reign was marked by a desire to align Judah with divine standards.

Linguistic Insights

The term "sodomites" in the King James Version translates the Hebrew word qadesh (plural qedeshiym). While literally meaning "holy one" or "consecrated one," this term was ironically applied to male cult prostitutes who dedicated themselves to pagan deities, often engaging in ritualistic sexual acts as part of fertility cults. These practices were explicitly forbidden under Mosaic Law (e.g., Deuteronomy 23:17) and were considered an abomination in the eyes of the LORD. Jehoshaphat's removal of these individuals signifies a profound spiritual cleansing.

Practical Application

The account of Jehoshaphat's actions in 1 Kings 22:46 offers several practical insights for believers today:

  • Continuous Spiritual Cleansing: Just as remnants of sin lingered in Judah, individuals and communities may find that old habits or sinful influences persist even after initial commitments to faith. This verse encourages a thorough and continuous process of spiritual cleansing.
  • No Tolerance for Sin: Jehoshaphat did not tolerate the presence of practices contrary to God's law. This serves as a reminder for us to address and remove any form of compromise or unrighteousness in our own lives and spheres of influence.
  • Building on Righteous Foundations: We are called to build upon the good foundations laid by those who came before us, ensuring that the work of righteousness is completed and upheld across generations.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 15:12

    And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.

  • 1 Kings 14:24

    And there were also sodomites in the land: [and] they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

  • Deuteronomy 23:17

    There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.

  • Genesis 19:5

    And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where [are] the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.

  • Jude 1:7

    Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

  • Judges 19:22

    ¶ [Now] as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, [and] beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:9

    ¶ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
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