Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom, feared he would lose the allegiance of his people if they continued worshiping at Jerusalem, so he instituted a religion of his own. He placed golden calves at Dan far to the north and at Bethel just 17 km (11 mi) north of Jerusalem. He also installed his own priesthood and arranged for his own ‘holy days.’​—1Ki 12:26-33.