Final answer:
Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, established centers of worship at Dan and Bethel to prevent his subjects from going to the Temple in Jerusalem, setting up golden calves as objects of worship.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy, established worship centers at Dan and Bethel. To challenge the religious primacy of Jerusalem, where Solomon had built the first temple, Jeroboam created these alternate religious sites to prevent his subjects from going to the Temple in Judah. He set up golden calves in these locations as objects of worship, thus intentionally creating a schism in the religious practices of the Israelites. This decision to establish places of worship away from Jerusalem had significant long-term repercussions for the religious identity and unity of the Israelites.