1 Kings 12:26

26 Jeroboam thought to himself, “Unless I am careful, the kingdom will return to the dynasty of David.

1 Kings 12:26 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 12:26

And Jeroboam said in his heart,
&c,] As he was musing about the state of his kingdom and the affairs of it:

now shall the kingdom return to the house of David;
such were his fears, unless some method could be taken to prevent it, particularly with respect to religion, which was what his thoughts were employed about.

1 Kings 12:26 In-Context

24 ‘This is what the LORD says: Do not fight against your relatives, the Israelites. Go back home, for what has happened is my doing!’” So they obeyed the message of the LORD and went home, as the LORD had commanded.

25 Jeroboam then built up the city of Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and it became his capital. Later he went and built up the town of Peniel.

26 Jeroboam thought to himself, “Unless I am careful, the kingdom will return to the dynasty of David.

27 When these people go to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices at the Temple of the LORD, they will again give their allegiance to King Rehoboam of Judah. They will kill me and make him their king instead.”

28 So on the advice of his counselors, the king made two gold calves. He said to the people, “It is too much trouble for you to worship in Jerusalem. Look, Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of Egypt!”