1 Raja-raja 12:26-29

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.” 12:29 He put one in Bethel ⁷  and the other in Dan.

[12:26]  ¹ tn Heb “said in his heart.”

[12:26]  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.”

[12:27]  ³ map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[12:27]  ⁴ tn Heb “the heart of these people could return to their master.”

[12:28]  ⁵ tn The words “with his advisers” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

[12:28]  ⁶ tn Heb “to them,” although this may be a corruption of “to the people.” Cf. the Old Greek translation.

[12:29]  ⁷ map For location see Map4 G4; Map5 C1; Map6 E3; Map7 D1; Map8 G3.