What does 1 Kings 12:28 mean?

1 Kings 12:28 in the King James Version of the Bible states, "Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt." This verse describes the actions of King Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the kingdom split.

The context of this verse is that after the death of King Solomon, his son Rehoboam ascended to the throne. However, due to his harsh ruling and refusal to lighten the burden of taxation and forced labor on the people, there was a rebellion, and the kingdom of Israel was divided into two separate kingdoms: the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. King Jeroboam became the first ruler of the northern kingdom of Israel.

In the verse, King Jeroboam is seen taking counsel, which indicates a deliberate and calculated decision. He then makes two golden calves and sets them up as objects of worship. This action is a direct violation of the commandments given to the Israelites through Moses. In Exodus 20:3-4, the Lord commands, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth." By creating these golden calves and proclaiming them as the gods who brought the Israelites out of Egypt, Jeroboam is leading the people into idolatry and turning them away from the true worship of the Lord.

The themes present in this verse include idolatry, disobedience, and false leadership. Idolatry is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, and it often leads to spiritual downfall and destruction. In this instance, King Jeroboam's decision to set up the golden calves as objects of worship led the Israelites away from the true God and into the worship of false idols. This act of disobedience also demonstrates the consequences of straying from God's commandments. Additionally, Jeroboam's actions highlight the dangers of following a leader who leads people away from God and into sin.

The symbolism in this verse is significant. The golden calves represent the false gods that the Israelites were led to worship. Throughout the Bible, the symbol of the calf is often associated with idolatry and false worship. In this context, the golden calves represent the Israelites' departure from the true worship of the Lord and their embrace of pagan practices. Furthermore, the golden calves also symbolize the spiritual decline and moral corruption that occurs when people turn away from God and seek after false idols.

In conclusion, 1 Kings 12:28 in the King James Version of the Bible provides a clear example of the dangers of idolatry and disobedience to God's commandments. The actions of King Jeroboam serve as a warning to all believers about the importance of remaining faithful to the true worship of the Lord and the consequences of following false leaders who lead people astray. This verse serves as a reminder of the need for steadfastness in faith and the avoidance of idolatry and false worship.

Artwork for 1 Kings 12:28

1 Kings 12:28 - "Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt."

"Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt." - 1 Kings 12:28

1 Kings 6:28 - "And he overlaid the cherubims with gold."

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1 Kings 12:14

1 Kings 12:14

1 Kings 12:11

1 Kings 21:28 - "And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,"

1 Kings 1:28 - "¶ Then king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king."

1 Kings 7:28 - "And the work of the bases was on this manner: they had borders, and the borders were between the ledges:"

1 kings 3:12

"And he overlaid the cherubims with gold." - 1 Kings 6:28

1 Kings 15:28 - "Even in the third year of Asa king of Judah did Baasha slay him, and reigned in his stead."

1 Kings 9:28 - "And they came to Ophir, and fetched from thence gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to king Solomon."

1 Kings 10:28 - "¶ And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price."

1 Kings 14:28 - "And it was so, when the king went into the house of the LORD, that the guard bare them, and brought them back into the guard chamber."

1 Kings 12:1 - "And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king."

1 Chronicles 12:28 - "And Zadok, a young man mighty of valour, and of his father's house twenty and two captains."

1 Kings 16:28 - "So Omri slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria: and Ahab his son reigned in his stead."

1 Kings 3:28 - "And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment."

"And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying," - 1 Kings 21:28

1 Kings 12:19 - "So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day."

1 Kings 21:12 - "They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people."