The high place in view is the alter which Samuel built to the Lord outside the city of Ramah (1 Samuel 7:17). In Deuteronomy, high places are condemned and the people of Israel are encouraged instead to worship at the central place which the Lord will show (see Deuteronomy 12:1–32). However, with Shiloh having been destroyed (1 Samuel 4:1–22; Psalm 78:56–64), there was no central place for worship at this time. Most likely that is the reason why high places were tolerated.1 The narrative of 1 Samuel 9:1 – 10:16 does not present these places in a negative light.2
12 They answered, “He is; behold, he is just ahead of you. Hurry. He has come just now to the city, because the people have a sacrifice today on the high place.