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1 Kings 12:30

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And this thing became a sin: for the people went [to worship] before the one, [even] unto Dan.

And this thing {H1697} became a sin {H2403}: for the people {H5971} went {H3212} to worship before {H6440} the one {H259}, even unto Dan {H1835}.

and the affair became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one [in Beit-El and] all the way to Dan [to worship the other].

And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves.

And this thing became a sin; for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.

Commentary

1 Kings 12:30 describes a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, marking a tragic spiritual decline for the newly formed Northern Kingdom. This verse highlights the disastrous consequence of King Jeroboam's religious innovations: the establishment of alternative worship sites with golden calves, specifically mentioning the one in Dan, which led the people into blatant idolatry and sin.

Context

After the division of the kingdom of Israel following Solomon's reign, Jeroboam became king over the ten northern tribes. Fearing that his subjects would return their allegiance to the house of David if they continued to worship at the Temple in Jerusalem (which was in the Southern Kingdom of Judah), Jeroboam devised a new religious system. He declared that it was "too much" for the people to go to Jerusalem and set up golden calves in two strategic locations: one in Bethel (in the south of his territory) and one in Dan (in the far north). This verse specifically condemns the worship at Dan as a sin, implying the same for Bethel.

Key Themes

  • Idolatry and Apostasy: The primary theme is the grave sin of idolatry. By creating golden calves and directing the people to worship them, Jeroboam led Israel away from the exclusive worship of the one true God, violating the First and Second Commandments. This act directly mirrored the sin of the golden calf at Mount Sinai.
  • Spiritual Compromise for Political Gain: Jeroboam's actions were driven by political expediency rather than genuine spiritual concern. He prioritized maintaining his kingdom's stability over God's commands, illustrating the danger of compromising faith for worldly advantage.
  • The Gravity of Sin: The explicit declaration "this thing became a sin" underscores the severe spiritual consequences of Jeroboam's actions. It highlights how quickly a nation can fall into deep transgression when its leaders lead astray. This idolatry would plague the Northern Kingdom throughout its history, ultimately contributing to its downfall (2 Kings 17:7-18).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "became a sin" translates the Hebrew word chatta'ah (חַטָּאָה), which broadly means "sin," "offering for sin," or "guilt." In this context, it signifies a deviation from God's righteous standard, a "missing of the mark" that incurred divine displeasure and judgment. The repetition of "before the one" emphasizes that the worship was directed towards the idol, not the Lord.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful warning for all generations. Just as Jeroboam's kingdom fell into sin by substituting God's commands with human innovations, so too can individuals and communities today. Modern idolatry may not involve golden calves, but it can manifest in placing anything—be it career, wealth, power, pleasure, or even self—above God. We are called to put off covetousness, which is idolatry, and to worship God alone, in spirit and truth. This passage encourages us to examine our own lives for any compromises that might lead us away from true devotion to God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 17:21 (6 votes)

    For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin.

  • 1 Kings 13:34 (5 votes)

    And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut [it] off, and to destroy [it] from off the face of the earth.

  • 2 Kings 10:31 (2 votes)

    But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.