Deuteronomy 12:4 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Ver. 4. Ye shall not do so unto the Lord your God— That is, "Ye shall not adore him upon mountains, upon hills, and under every green tree; but you shall serve him publicly in one place which he shall choose." That this is the sense, appears from the following verse. Notwithstanding this prohibition, the sacred history shews us how prone the Israelites were to choose mountains and groves for the places of their worship, and therein to set up images, after the example of their heathen neighbours. 2 Kings 17:10-11.Ezekiel 20:28. Hosea 4:13.