מלכים א, פרק י״ד, פסוק כ״ד

The spiritual decline in the Kingdom of Judah during the reign of Rehoboam was marked by a return to ancient Canaanite rituals. This destructive trend, which had already taken root indirectly during the days of King Solomon, was left unchecked by Rehoboam. As a result, the people embraced the forbidden practices of the land's previous inhabitants [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

At the core of this widespread moral failure was the presence of the Kadesh. There are different ways to understand the exact nature of this role. A general view suggests it refers broadly to a culture of prostitution and adultery [רש״י, מצודת ציון, רד״ק]. However, others explain that these were specifically male prostitutes dedicated to the worship of the Asherah idol. This function combined sexual immorality with idolatry, resulting in a double offense against God [רלב״ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The extent of Judah's guilt regarding these terrible acts is also a subject of discussion. The primary approach among commentators is that the people of Judah actively committed these sins themselves, directly imitating the corrupt nations that God had previously expelled from the land. Offering a different perspective, another view suggests that the Canaanites who still remained in the territory were the ones actually committing these acts. According to this understanding, the sin of the Israelites was not active participation, but rather a failure of responsibility; they stood by and did nothing to protest or stop the immoral behavior happening in their midst [מלבי״ם].