1 Kings 12

At Shechem, the northern tribes ask the new king Rehoboam to lighten Solomon’s heavy burdens. Rejecting the elders’ counsel and following his young companions, Rehoboam threatens even harsher rule, and the ten tribes revolt, making Jeroboam their king; only Judah and Benjamin remain to David’s house. Fearing that pilgrimages to Jerusalem will win back his people, Jeroboam sets up golden calves at Bethel and Dan and a counterfeit priesthood and feast.