1 Kings 12:25

25 And Jeroboam builded Shechem, in the hill of Ephraim, and dwelled there (Then Jeroboam built Shechem, in the hill country of Ephraim, and lived there); and he went out from thence, and builded Penuel.

1 Kings 12:25 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 12:25

Then Jeroboam built Shechem in Mount Ephraim, and dwelt
therein
Not that this city had lain in ruins from the times of Abimelech, ( Judges 9:45 ) for then it would not have been a proper place for the convention of the people, ( 1 Kings 12:1 ) but he repaired the walls of it, and fortified it, and built a palace in it for his residence:

and went out from thence, and built Penuel;
a place on the other side Jordan, the tower of which was beaten down by Gideon, ( Judges 8:17 ) and might be now rebuilt, or at least the city was repaired by him, and anew fortified, perhaps for the better security of his dominions on that side Jordan; though Fortunatus Scacchus ^F16 is of opinion that this was an altar, the same as at Carmel, ( 1 Kings 18:30 ) , which Jeroboam built, and called by this name in testimony of the common religion of the Israelites and Jews.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 Elaeochrism. Myrothec. l. 2. c. 58. col. 593.

1 Kings 12:25 In-Context

23 Speak thou to Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the house of Judah and of Benjamin, and to the residue of the people, and say thou,

24 The Lord saith these things, Ye shall not go up, neither ye shall fight against your brethren, the sons of Israel; turn each man again into his house, for this word is done of me (every man return to his house, for this word is from me). (And) They heard the word of the Lord, and they turned again from the journey, as the Lord commanded to them.

25 And Jeroboam builded Shechem, in the hill of Ephraim, and dwelled there (Then Jeroboam built Shechem, in the hill country of Ephraim, and lived there); and he went out from thence, and builded Penuel.

26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now the realm shall turn again to the house of David, (And Jeroboam said in his heart, Even now the kingdom shall return to the house of David,)

27 if this people ascendeth to Jerusalem, that it make sacrifice in the house of the Lord in Jerusalem; and then the heart of this people shall turn again to their lord, Rehoboam, king of Judah; and they shall slay me, and shall turn again to him. (if these people goeth up to Jerusalem, to make sacrifice in the House of the Lord in Jerusalem; for then the heart of these people shall return to their lord, Rehoboam, the king of Judah; and they shall kill me, and they shall return to him.)