1 Kings 12:25

25 Then Jerobo'am built Shechem in the hill country of E'phraim, and dwelt there; and he went out from there and built Penu'el.

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 "Say to Rehobo'am the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people,

24 'Thus says the LORD, You shall not go up or fight against your kinsmen the people of Israel. Return every man to his home, for this thing is from me.'" So they hearkened to the word of the LORD, and went home again, according to the word of the LORD.

25 Then Jerobo'am built Shechem in the hill country of E'phraim, and dwelt there; and he went out from there and built Penu'el.

26 And Jerobo'am said in his heart, "Now the kingdom will turn back to the house of David;

27 if this people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their lord, to Rehobo'am king of Judah, and they will kill me and return to Rehobo'am king of Judah."