They made promises by the sin of Samaria, They said, ‘Dan, as surely as your god lives, we promise ….’ And they said, ‘As surely as the god of Beersheba lives, we promise ….’ But they will fall and never get up again.”
But don’t look in Bethel. Don’t go to Gilgal. Don’t cross the border and go down to Beersheba. The people of Gilgal will be taken away as prisoners, and Bethel will be destroyed.
Israel sinned, and I will punish them for their sins. And when I do, I will also destroy the altars at Bethel. The horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground.
Israel sinned and built many high places. The high places of Aven will be destroyed. Thorns and weeds will grow on their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”
This will happen because of Jacob’s sin, because of the sins of the nation of Israel. What caused Jacob to sin? It was Samaria. Where is the high place in Judah? It is Jerusalem.
Tell them this: ‘Mountains of Israel, listen to this message from the Lord GOD! This is what the Lord GOD says to the hills and mountains and to the ravines and valleys: Look! I am bringing the enemy to fight against you. I will destroy your high places.
I saw the Lord standing by the altar, and he said, “Hit the top of the columns, and shake them to the ground. Push them and they will fall on everyone’s head. As for those who survive, I will kill them with a sword. None of them will run away. None of them will escape.