Bethel was associated with Jacob’s meeting with God (Genesis 28:1–22). It was also one of the sties on which King Jeroboam had set up an altar for the northern kingdom Israelites to use in worship (1 Kings 12:25–33). Gilgal was associated with the entry to the Promised Land where Joshua set up twelve stones (Joshua 4:19–20; Joshua 5:1–10). It would have been a common site of pilgrimage. Beersheba was a city in southern Judah revered for its contacts with Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 21:1–34, Genesis 26:1–35). Israelites made occasional journeys to Beersheba seeking to honour their patriarchal roots.1 These three sites are mentioned because they were common to the Israelite religious experience. However, they were never identified as places of worship. For Israel to worship the Lord, they had to go to the temple in Jerusalem.2
5 but do not seek Bethel, and do not enter into Gilgal or cross over to Beersheba; for Gilgal shall surely go into exile, and Bethel shall come to nothing.”