Definition: For he took away the altars of the strange [gods], and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 2 Chronicles 14:3. It’s a pretty serious statement about religious practices in ancient Israel. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a drastic action taken by the king of Judah to remove idolatry – worshiping other gods – and destructive practices associated with those idols. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “For he took away…” - This tells us that someone (likely the king) made this change. “…the altars of the strange [gods]…” - "Altars" were places where people offered sacrifices and worshipped. The word “strange” here means they weren't worshipping a god they knew and trusted. They were worshipping gods from other cultures or traditions – essentially, they were bowing to false idols. “…and the high places…” - "High places" referred to temples and sacred spaces where rituals took place. Removing these places meant stopping the practice of worshiping those foreign deities. “…and brake down the images…” - This is a key part. The king ordered the dismantling of all idols – statues, carvings, and anything that represented a god. He destroyed them! “…and cut down the groves…” - "Groves" were often places where people gathered for worship or ceremonies. Cutting down these groves meant stopping the gatherings and activities associated with the worship of those foreign gods. What was the purpose of this action? The Bible says it was done to protect Israel from invasion . The king believed that the worship of false gods made them vulnerable to attacks by other nations. By removing these practices, he hoped to strengthen God's people and secure their safety. It was a strategic move – protecting his kingdom with religious discipline! In short: This verse is about a king taking steps to stop idolatry and destructive religious practices that could threaten Israel’s security. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Give you some context about the time period this verse came from? Compare it to a similar event in the Bible (if there is one)?