The current “Biblical Archaeology Review” has an interesting article on the tombs of the kings of Israel. The author says that the location of the graves was the locus of the kingdom (major paraphrase) and gives some Old Testament references.
If I have time later, I’ll put up some quotes.
The practices of ancient Israel’s kings, which the bible makes clear were, with very few notable exceptions (David, Solomon (for a while), Josiah, Nehemiah), all ungodly apostates... really is irrelevant to whether greatly honoring objects as aids to worship is right or wrong.
Show me in scripture, old or new, where objects related to the godly dead were used in worship. Not a word. Nothing in the New Testament either... If relics should be used in prayer and worship—why do Jesus, St. Paul, St. John, St. Peter and all the other apostles not advise it?