1 Kings 12:28-32
12:28 a Two gold calves would strike a responsive chord regarding Israel’s history (Exod 32 b; esp. 32:4 c). Similar religious practices, associated with the Canaanite god Baal-Hadad, also appealed to the remaining Canaanite population in the northern kingdom. Jeroboam’s intentions compromised true worship and caused religious confusion (see 1 Kgs 14:9 d; Hos 8:6 e).Summary for 1Kgs 12:29-30: 12:29-30 f By placing the calf idols in Bethel (the southern part of Israel) and in Dan (the far northern section) Jeroboam gave his people two choice sites with long religious traditions (see Gen 12:8 g; 28:11-19 h; Judg 18:30-31 i). Archaeological excavations confirm the existence of a high place—an altar for pagan worship—in Dan. Bethel was where Jacob had his dream (Gen 28:10-22 j), and it was the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant in the days of the judges (Judg 20:18-28 k) and a sanctuary in Samuel’s time (1 Sam 7:16 l; 10:3 m).
12:31 n Jeroboam directly violated the law of Moses, which prohibited worship at pagan shrines (Deut 12:2-7 o) and specified that priests were to come only from the tribe of Levi (Exod 40:13-15 p; Num 1:50-53 q).
Summary for 1Kgs 12:32-33: 12:32-33 r Replacing the Festival of Shelters, Israel’s crowning ceremonial feast in the seventh month, with the festival in Bethel also violated the law (Deut 16:13-15 s). The imitation observance one month later during the eighth month may have coincided with the end of the Canaanite agricultural year. Jeroboam’s false religious practices led to Israel’s downfall (2 Kgs 17:22 t).
• Jeroboam’s offering of sacrifices on the altar at Bethel set a bad precedent in spiritual leadership.
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