After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places.
Even after this happened, Jeroboam didn't turn away from his evil ways. Instead, he continued appointing priests for the worship sites on the hills, choosing people from the common population. Anyone who wanted to become a priest, he would consecrate them, and they became priests of these hilltop worship places.
The writer is showing that King Jeroboam stubbornly continued his religious sins even after being warned, carelessly appointing unqualified priests from anyone willing to serve.
📚 Historical Context
Jeroboam was the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after it split from Judah. To prevent his people from traveling to Jerusalem to worship, he set up alternative worship sites and appointed his own priests, violating God's law that only Levites could serve as priests. This verse comes after a prophet had just warned him about God's judgment on his false religious system.
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