1 Kings 12:25

“Then Jeroboam built Shechem in Mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein, etc.] Not that this city had lain in ruins from the times of Abimelech, (<070945>Judges 9:45) for then it would not have been a proper place for the convention of the people, (<111201>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, (<070817>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 f315 is of…”

“Jeroboam built Shechem--destroyed by Abimelech (Jdg. 9:1-49). It was rebuilt, and perhaps fortified, by Jeroboam, as a royal residence. built Penuel--a ruined city with a tower (Jdg 8:9), east of Jordan, on the north bank of the Jabbok. It was an object of importance to restore this fortress (as it lay on the caravan road from Gilead to Damascus and Palmyra) and to secure his frontier on that quarter.”

“Built Shechem - In the sense of “enlarged and fortified.” See Daniel 4:30. The first intention of Jeroboam seems to have been to make Shechem his capital, and therefore he immediately set about its fortification. So also he seems to have fortified Penuel for the better security of his Trans-Jordanic possessions (marginal reference). return to 'Top of Page'”

“Shechem - He repaired, and enlarged, and fortified it; for it had been ruined long since, Jdg 9:45. He might chuse it as a place both auspicious, because here the foundation of his monarchy was laid; and commodious, as being near the frontiers of his kingdom. Penuel - A place beyond Jordan; to secure that part of his dominions. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 12:26”

“12:25-33 Jeroboam’s actions in establishing his kingdom are reported in two sections, one on his building activities (12:25), the other on his false shrines and religious practices (12:26-33). 12:25 Both Shechem (12:1) and Peniel, which Jeroboam built across the Jordan River, were strategic defensive sites against the Arameans.”

“built: Kg1 9:15, Kg1 9:17, Kg1 9:18, Kg1 15:17, Kg1 16:24; Ch2 11:5-12 Shechem: Kg1 12:1; Jdg 9:1, Jdg 9:45-49 Penuel: Gen 32:30, Gen 32:31; Jdg 8:8, Jdg 8:17 3 Kings (1 Kings) 12:26”

“Founding of the Kingdom of Israel. - Kg1 12:25. When Jeroboam had become king, it was his first care to give a firmer basis to his sovereignty by the fortification of Sichem and Pnuel. בּנח, to build, is used here in the sense of fortifying, because both cities had stood for a long time, and nothing is known of their having been destroyed under either Solomon or David, although the tower of Sichem had been burnt down by Abimelech ( Jdg 9:49), and the tower of Pnuel had been destroyed by Gideon ( Jdg 8:17). Sichem, a place well known from the time of Abraham downwards ( Gen 12:6), was situated upon the mountains of Ephraim, between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, and still exists under the name…”