Jeroboam's Idolatry
Shortly after the death of Solomon, political catastrophe struck the country, tearing it apart. The northern tribes revolted against the Davidic dynasty, centered in Jerusalem, and now represented by Solomon’s weak and arrogant son, Rehoboam. They succeeded, setting up their own state which they called Israel. Jeroboam set up two centers of idol worship by placing two golden calves; one in Bethel and one in Dan, preventing the House of Israel to worship in Jerusalem.
1 Kings 12: 30
The people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves…
Bronze Bull
Israel Antiquities Authority / The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Ardon Bar-Hama
The threshing floor at Beit El, the most scholarly accepted place where it is believed Jeroboam erected one of the idolatrous calves. The other altar was erected at Tel Dan in the North.
Photo: AnaRina Kreisman
Overview
Shortly after the death of Solomon, political catastrophe struck the country, tearing it apart. The northern Ten tribes revolted against the Davidic dynasty, centered in Jerusalem, and now represented by Solomon’s weak and arrogant son, Rehoboam. They succeeded, setting up their own state which they called the Kingdom or the House of Israel (Northern Kingdom). Jeroboam set up two centers of idol worship by placing two golden calves; one in Bethel and one in Dan. On the 23rd of Sivan, Jeroboam, also ordered barriers to be placed between the Kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom of Judah in order to prevent pilgrims from his kingdom to ascend to and worship in Jerusalem during the festivals.
In the Bible
The king (Jeroboam I) made two golden calves…
One he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan.
וַיִּוָּעַ֣ץ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (יָרָבְעָם הָרִאשׁוֹן) וַיַּ֕עַשׂ שְׁנֵ֖י עֶגְלֵ֣י זָהָ֑ב ... וַיָּ֥שֶׂם אֶת-הָאֶחָ֖ד בְּבֵֽית-אֵ֑ל וְאֶת-הָאֶחָ֖ד נָתַ֥ן בְּדָֽן:
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