1 Kings 12:25

25 And Jeroboam buildeth Shechem in the hill-country of Ephraim, and dwelleth in it, and goeth out thence, and buildeth 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 unto Rehoboam son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and the rest of the people, saying,

24 Thus said Jehovah, Ye do not go up nor fight with your brethren the sons of Israel; turn back each to his house, for from Me hath this thing been;' and they hear the word of Jehovah, and turn back to go according to the word of Jehovah.

25 And Jeroboam buildeth Shechem in the hill-country of Ephraim, and dwelleth in it, and goeth out thence, and buildeth Penuel;

26 and Jeroboam saith in his heart, `Now doth the kingdom turn back to the house of David --

27 if this people go up to make sacrifices in the house of Jehovah in Jerusalem, then hath the heart of this people turned back unto their lord, unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they have slain me, and turned back unto Rehoboam king of Judah.'