Charles Spurgeon Commentary 1 Kings 12:25-27

"Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill-country of Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and he went out from thence, and built Penuel. And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now will the kingdom return to the house of David: if this people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of Jehovah at Jerusalem, then will the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah; and they will kill me, and return to Rehoboam king of Judah." — 1 Kings 12:25-27 (ASV)

Jeroboam is motivated by political strategy, you see. It is very hard, I believe, to be a ruler over people and yet to be a servant of God. There seems to be something connected with politics in every country that taints the mind and defiles the hand that touches it. The king of Judah had little wisdom, and this king of Israel has too much cunning; he is a far-seeing man and perceives that if the people go up to Jerusalem to worship, they may eventually return to their allegiance to the house of David.