1Ki 12:26-31 | NETfull | STEP | Jeroboam then thought to himself: “Now the Davidic dynasty could regain the kingdom.

1 Kings 12:26-31

26 Jeroboam then thought to himself: ^{▼▼ Heb “said in his heart.”} “Now the Davidic dynasty could regain the kingdom. ^{▼▼ Heb “Now the kingdom could return to the house of David.” The imperfect verbal form translated “could return” is understood as having a potential force here. Perhaps this is not strong enough; another option is “will return.”} 27 If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem, ^{▼▼ For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; Journey of Paul map 1-F4; Journey of Paul map 2-F4; Journey of Paul map 3-F4; Journey of Paul map 4-F4.} their loyalty could shift to their former master, ^{▼▼ Heb “the heart of these people could return to their master.”} King Rehoboam of Judah. They might kill me and return to King Rehoboam of Judah.” 28 After the king had consulted with his advisers, ^{▼▼ The words “with his advisers” are supplied in the translation for clarification.} he made two golden calves. Then he said to the people, ^{▼▼ Heb “to them,” although this may be a corruption of “to the people.” Cf. the Old Greek translation.} “It is too much trouble for you to go up to Jerusalem. Look, Israel, here are your gods who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” 29 He put one in Bethel ^{▼▼ For location see Map4-G4; Map5-C1; Map6-E3; Map7-D1; Map8-G3.} and the other in Dan. 30 This caused Israel to sin; ^{▼▼ Heb “and this thing became a sin.”} the people went to Bethel and Dan to worship the calves. ^{▼▼ The MT reads “and the people went before the one to Dan.” It is likely that some words have been accidentally omitted and that the text originally said, “and the people went before the one at Bethel and before the one at Dan.”}

31 He built temples ^{▼▼ The Hebrew text has the singular, but the plural is preferable here (see 1 Kgs 13:32). The Old Greek translation and the Vulgate have the plural.} on the high places and appointed as priests people who were not Levites.