Study Desk

The Lord will punish Israel, and she will shake like a reed shaking in a stream. He will uproot the people of Israel from this good land which he gave to their ancestors, and he will scatter them beyond the Euphrates River, because they have aroused his anger by making idols of the goddess Asherah.

They built places of worship for false gods and put up stone pillars and symbols of Asherah to worship on the hills and under shady trees.

He removed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother, because she had made an obscene idol of the fertility goddess Asherah. Asa cut down the idol and burned it in Kidron Valley.

He also put up an image of the goddess Asherah. He did more to arouse the anger of the Lord , the God of Israel, than all the kings of Israel before him.

Now order all the people of Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel. Bring along the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of the goddess Asherah who are supported by Queen Jezebel."