25 Then Jeroboam made Shechem in the mountains of Ephraim a very strong city, and he lived there. He also went to the city of Peniel and made it stronger.
26 Jeroboam said to himself, “The kingdom will probably go back to David’s family.
27 If the people continue going to the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices, they will want to be ruled again by Rehoboam. Then they will kill me and follow Rehoboam king of Judah.”
28 King Jeroboam asked for advice. Then he made two golden calves. “It is too long a journey for you to go to Jerusalem to worship,” he said to the people. “Israel, here are your gods who brought you out of Egypt.”
29 Jeroboam put one golden calf in the city of Bethel and the other in the city of Dan.
30 This became a very great sin, because the people traveled as far as Dan to worship the calf there.
31 Jeroboam built temples on the places of worship. He also chose priests from all the people, not just from the tribe of Levi.