1 Kings 12:25-32

Evangelical Heritage Version

²⁵ But Jeroboam fortified Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and he lived there. From there he also went out and fortified Penuel.^[a]

The Sin of Jeroboam Son of Nebat

²⁶ But Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingship will go back to the house of David. ²⁷ If this people goes up to offer sacrifices at the House of the Lord in Jerusalem, then the hearts of the people will return to their master, Rehoboam king of Judah. Then they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.”

²⁸ After the king sought advice, he made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much trouble for you. Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!” ²⁹ He set up one in Bethel and the other one in Dan.

³⁰ This sin took hold, and the people traveled as far as Dan to worship. ³¹ Jeroboam also made shrines^[b] on the high places,^[c] and he appointed priests from all kinds of people, even though they were not Levites. ³² Jeroboam instituted a festival in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like the festival^[d] that is held in Judah. He offered sacrifices on the altar. He did this in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves he had made. He appointed priests in Bethel for the high places he had made.