1 Kings 12:25

25 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in Mount Ephraim and dwelt therein, and went out from thence and built 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, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying,

24 `Thus saith the LORD: Ye shall not go up nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel. Return every man to his house, for this thing is from Me.'" They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD.

25 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in Mount Ephraim and dwelt therein, and went out from thence and built Penuel.

26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, "Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David.

27 If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah."