22 And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done. 23 For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree. (1 Kings 14:22-23 KJV)
Thomas Scott
Verses 22-24. It was a most extraordinary circumstance, that after the priests and Levites and pious persons from Israel. had settled in Judah ( Note, 2Ch 11:13-17), Rehoboam and his subjects in general should become more gross idolaters than the Israelites were. Yet this was actually the case, for they directly worshipped false gods; and the groves seem to have been temples erected in shady places, where the most abominable lewdness was practised in honour of their filthy idols. (Marg. Ref. Notes, 1Ki 14:9-11; 12:26-29; Le 18:21-30.)