Background:
Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, was the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel following the division of the united monarchy after the reign of Solomon. His rise to power was prophesied by the prophet Ahijah, who foretold that Jeroboam would rule over ten of the twelve tribes of Israel (1 Kings 11:29-31). Despite this divine appointment, Jeroboam's reign is marked by significant religious apostasy, which had lasting consequences for the northern kingdom.

Establishment of Idolatry:
Upon ascending to the throne, Jeroboam faced the challenge of maintaining the loyalty of his subjects, who were accustomed to worshiping in Jerusalem. Fearing that continued pilgrimages to the temple in Jerusalem would lead the people to revert their allegiance to Rehoboam, king of Judah, Jeroboam devised a plan to establish alternative centers of worship within his own territory. He set up two golden calves, placing one in Bethel and the other in Dan, and proclaimed, "Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (1 Kings 12:28). This act was a direct violation of the first and second commandments, which prohibit the worship of other gods and the making of graven images (Exodus 20:3-4).

Religious Innovations:
In addition to the golden calves, Jeroboam instituted a new religious calendar, establishing a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, similar to the Feast of Tabernacles in Judah, but of his own devising (1 Kings 12:32-33). He also appointed priests from among all the people, rather than from the Levites, further deviating from the divinely ordained religious order (1 Kings 12:31).

Prophetic Condemnation:
Jeroboam's idolatry was met with prophetic condemnation. A man of God from Judah was sent to Bethel to prophesy against the altar Jeroboam had erected, declaring that a future king named Josiah would desecrate it (1 Kings 13:1-2). This prophecy was accompanied by a sign: the altar was split apart, and its ashes poured out (1 Kings 13:3). Despite these warnings, Jeroboam did not repent of his ways.

Consequences:
The idolatry initiated by Jeroboam had profound and enduring effects on the northern kingdom. It set a precedent for subsequent kings, who continued in the same sinful practices, leading to a pattern of apostasy that ultimately resulted in the downfall of Israel. The biblical narrative repeatedly refers to the sins of Jeroboam as a benchmark for the wickedness of later kings (1 Kings 15:34, 16:26).

Legacy:
Jeroboam's actions are often cited as a cautionary tale of the dangers of compromising true worship for political expediency. His idolatry not only led his own kingdom astray but also incurred divine judgment, as foretold by the prophets. The legacy of Jeroboam's idolatry serves as a reminder of the importance of fidelity to God's commandments and the perils of leading others into sin.