Divided Monarchy

Following the division of Israel into the northern and southern kingdoms, King Jeroboam of Israel established two sanctuaries for the northern kingdom of Israel—one at Dan and one at Bethel (1 Kgs 12:26–33). These sanctuaries became the religious centers for the northern kingdom of Israel and were intended to counteract Jerusalem’s influence as the national religious center of the former united monarchy (1 Kgs 13; Burke, “Archaeology of Ritual and Religion,” 898–901). Jeroboam also set up golden calves at these shrines, stating, “Behold you gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt” (1 Kgs 12:28 ESV). Jeroboam likely chose these sites due to their strategic locations on the northern and southern borders of the kingdom and because they already hosted Israelite sanctuaries.