Book of 1 Kings - Chapter 12 - Verse 27

When the people of Israel wanted to go up to Jerusalem to sacrifice at the house of the LORD, Jeroboam lived in fear that they would be loyal to Rehoboam, the king of Judah, instead of him. Jeroboam was anxious that if the people went to Jerusalem to worship, their hearts would turn back to Rehoboam, and they would overthrow Jeroboam as king. This fear led Jeroboam to take drastic measures to prevent the people from going to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices, including setting up golden calves for them to worship in Bethel and Dan. Jeroboam's concern over losing the loyalty of his people highlights the political tensions and power struggles that were common in the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

In this verse, we see the theological implications of a divided kingdom in ancient Israel. The speaker, Jeroboam, is fearful that if the people continue to go up to Jerusalem to sacrifice at the house of the Lord, their loyalty will shift back to Rehoboam, the king of Judah. This fear reveals the deep-rooted political and religious tensions between the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. The act of sacrificing in Jerusalem was a central ritual of worship for the Israelites, and by discouraging this practice, Jeroboam sought to solidify his own power and authority. The theological interpretation of this verse highlights the importance of unity in worship and the consequences of political power struggles on religious practices. It also raises questions about the complexities of loyalty, faith, and leadership within the context of ancient Israelite society.