מלכים א, פרק ט״ז, פסוק ל״ב

Establishing an altar for Baal in the capital city of Samaria marked a severe turning point, transforming idol worship into a permanent and institutionalized practice.

This was not simply an exposed, outdoor monument. The altar was deliberately placed inside a dedicated structure built specifically for the idol [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. By constructing what was essentially a small temple right in the middle of the capital, it became clear that the worship of Baal was no longer a temporary or side activity, but a firmly established fixture of the kingdom [ביאור שטיינזלץ].