1 Kings 12:26-28

12:26 Jeroboam then thought to himself: ¹  “Now the Davidic dynasty could regain the kingdom. ²  12:27 If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem, ³  their loyalty could shift to their former master, ⁴  King Rehoboam of Judah. They might kill me and return to King Rehoboam of Judah.” 12:28 After the king had consulted with his advisers, ⁵  he made two golden calves. Then he said to the people, ⁶  “It is too much trouble for you to go up to Jerusalem. Look, Israel, here are your gods who brought you up from the land of Egypt.”

¹ tn Heb “said in his heart.”

² tn Heb “Now the kingdom could return to the house of David.” The imperfect verbal form translated “could return” is understood as having a potential force here. Perhaps this is not strong enough; another option is “will return.”

³ map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

⁴ tn Heb “the heart of these people could return to their master.”

⁵ tn The words “with his advisers” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

⁶ tn Heb “to them,” although this may be a corruption of “to the people.” Cf. the Old Greek translation.