And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.
Jeroboam established a festival in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, similar to the festival celebrated in Judah. He made offerings on the altar. This is what he did in Bethel, offering sacrifices to the golden calves he had made. He also appointed priests in Bethel to serve at the worship sites he had created.
This verse shows how King Jeroboam created his own religious system with fake festivals, golden calf idols, and unauthorized priests to keep his people from worshiping in Jerusalem.
📚 Historical Context
After Solomon's death, the kingdom split into northern Israel (led by Jeroboam) and southern Judah. Jeroboam feared his people would return to Jerusalem in Judah for worship and then switch their allegiance back to the Davidic king. To prevent this, he created an alternative religious system with golden calves at Bethel and Dan, mimicking but corrupting the true worship of God.
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