Temples, heathen

Other nations also built temples to their gods, and apostate kings of Judah and Israel were condemned for erecting heathen temples in their own countries.

Heathen temples

The temple of Dagon: Judges 16:28–30; 1 Samuel 5:2–4; 1 Samuel 31:8–10; 2 Kings 5:18 the temple of Rimmon; Nahum 1:14

Idolatrous temples in Israel and Judah

1 Kings 12:26–30 Jeroboam's temples at Bethel and Dan; 1 Kings 16:32; 2 Kings 10:21, 2 Kings 10:23–27; 2 Chronicles 23:17 A temple to Baal in Judah was destroyed in the reign of Joash.

The command to destroy pagan places of worship in Israel

Deuteronomy 12:2–3

Destroy completely all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods— atop the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree. Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place.

Holy things and holy places were used for pagan worship

Ahaz: 2 Kings 16:10–13; 2 Chronicles 28:23; 2 Kings 21:4–5; 2 Chronicles 33:5, 2 Chronicles 33:7; 2 Chronicles 24:7 Athaliah's sons used objects from the temple for the worship of the Baals; Ezekiel 8:12–16 God showed Ezekiel a vision of people worshipping false gods in the temple; 2 Chronicles 26:16–20 Uzziah incurred judgment by usurping the priestly task of offering incense in the temple.