Then Jeroboam
Jeroboam, whose name means "the people will contend" or "he increases the people," was the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. His rise to power was prophesied by Ahijah the Shilonite (1 Kings 11:29-31), and his reign marked a significant turning point in Israel's history. Jeroboam's actions and decisions were pivotal in shaping the religious and political landscape of the northern kingdom.

built Shechem
Shechem, located in the hill country of Ephraim, was a city of great historical and religious significance. It was the first capital of the northern kingdom and had been a center of covenant renewal in the time of Joshua (Joshua 24:1-25). The Hebrew root for "built" (בנה, banah) implies not just physical construction but also establishing or fortifying a place. Jeroboam's choice of Shechem as his initial capital underscores its strategic and symbolic importance.

in the hill country of Ephraim
Ephraim was one of the prominent tribes of Israel, descended from Joseph's son Ephraim. The hill country of Ephraim was a fertile and strategically located region, making it an ideal place for Jeroboam to establish his rule. The tribe of Ephraim often held a leadership role among the northern tribes, and Jeroboam's association with this region would have bolstered his legitimacy as king.

and lived there
By residing in Shechem, Jeroboam was not only establishing his political authority but also aligning himself with the historical and spiritual heritage of Israel. Living in Shechem would have allowed him to consolidate his power and govern effectively from a central location.

From there he went out
This phrase indicates Jeroboam's active role in expanding and securing his kingdom. It suggests a strategic movement and initiative, as he sought to fortify his rule and protect his territory from potential threats, particularly from the southern kingdom of Judah.

and built Penuel
Penuel, also known as Peniel, was a site east of the Jordan River, associated with Jacob's wrestling with God (Genesis 32:30). The act of building or fortifying Penuel (again using the Hebrew root בנה, banah) was likely a strategic move to secure the eastern border of his kingdom. By fortifying Penuel, Jeroboam was not only protecting his realm but also invoking the memory of Jacob's divine encounter, perhaps to lend spiritual legitimacy to his reign.

(25) Jeroboam built Shechem.--Shechem had passed through many vicissitudes of fortune. It was already a city when Abraham entered the Promised Land (Genesis 12:6), and is from time to time mentioned in the patriarchal history (Genesis 33:18, Genesis 35:4, Genesis 37:12-13). At the Conquest it became a city of refuge (Joshua 20:7; Joshua 21:20-21), and the scene of the solemn recital of the blessings and curses of the Law (Joshua 8:33-35). From its proximity to Shiloh, and to the inheritance of Joshua, it assumed something of the character of a capital (Joshua 24:1; Joshua 24:32). Then it became the seat of the usurpation of Abimelech, which allied itself with the native inhabitants of the region; but rebelling afterwards against him, it was destroyed (Judges 9). We then hear nothing more of it till this chapter, when the tribes assemble at Shechem, under the shadow of the famous hills of Ebal and Gerizim, to meet Rehoboam. Jeroboam is said to have "built it" anew. This may be taken literally, as indicating that it had never recovered from its destruction by Abimelech, or it may simply mean that he fortified and enlarged it as his capital. Subsequently it gave way to Tirzan and Samaria; but its almost unrivalled position preserved it in importance among the Samaritans after the Captivity, even down to our Lord's time, and under the name of Nablous (Neapolis) it has lasted to the present day, while many other cities once famous have passed away. . . . Verse 25. - Then Jeroboam built [i.e., rebuilt or fortified, בָּנָה naturally has both meanings] Shechem [see on ver. 1 and on 1 Kings 14:1] in Mount Ephraim [The Har-Ephraim, or mountain district of Ephraim (in Joshua 11:16 called the "Mountain of Israel;" cf. Joshua 17:15-18; Judges 4:5; Judges 10:1; 1 Samuel 1:1), is "the central mass of the hills of Palestine, nearly equidistant from the northern and southern boundary of the whole country" (Stanley, S. and P., p. 229), and the richest and most beautiful part of the land. "The tower of Sichem had been burnt down by Abimelech and the tower of Penuel had been destroyed by Gideon, Judges 8:17" (Keil). The city of Shechem had been destroyed at the same time as the tower, but had no doubt been rebuilt, at least in part, otherwise it could hardly have been selected for Rehoboam's coronation. It was naturally Jeroboam's first care to strengthen his position by fortitying his capital, and the more so as this city would be particularly obnoxious to Rehoboam as the scene of the revolution; but why he should at the same time have rebuilt Penuel - Ewald thinks the seat of government was placed here - is not at first eight so obvious, as it lay beyond the Jordan (Genesis 32:22, 30; Genesis 33:17) and was therefore presumably outside the circle of hostilities, should such arise. Probably it was because this was the gate to his Trans-Jordanic territory. A tower commanding the fords of the Jordan would secure Reuben, Gad, etc., against invasion from Judah. It is also not unlikely that Jeroboam. who was the great castle builder of that age, had some fears of "hostile attacks from the north and northeast" (Keil), or thought of "the caravan road which led over Gilead to Damascus" (Wordsworth), and of which he would wish, for the sake of his revenue, to retain the control], and dwelt therein [He made it his first residence and capital]; and went out from thence [i.e., when he had secured one fortified city. He could hardly be certain as yet which side some of the tribes would take. It is also possible that some of the workmen who had built Shechem were afterwards employed on the fortification of Penuel], and built Penuel. [Bahr says, "There is no doubt that he built these fortifications by tribute labour, like Solomon." But is this quite so certain? The people after the revolt would naturally conclude that Rehoboam, of whose proud temper they had had such proof, would want to wreak his vengeance on the city which had rejected him, and the instinct of self-defence would lead them at once to rebuild their walls. And the newborn kingdom would also earnestly desire to possess a suitable capital. Thus their self-interest and enthusiasm alike would obviate the necessity for a conscription.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Then Jeroboam
יָרָבְעָ֧ם (yā·rā·ḇə·‘ām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3379: Jeroboam -- 'the people increase', the name of two Israelites kings

built
וַיִּ֨בֶן (way·yi·ḇen)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1129: To build

Shechem
שְׁכֶ֛ם (šə·ḵem)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7927: Shechem -- 'ridge', a district in Northern Palestine, also a son of Hamor

in the hill country
בְּהַ֥ר (bə·har)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

of Ephraim
אֶפְרַ֖יִם (’ep̄·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory

and lived there.
וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב (way·yê·šeḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

And from
בָּ֑הּ (bāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

there
מִשָּׁ֔ם (miš·šām)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

he went out
וַיֵּצֵ֣א (way·yê·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

and built
וַיִּ֖בֶן (way·yi·ḇen)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1129: To build

Penuel.
פְּנוּאֵֽל׃ (pə·nū·’êl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6439: Penuel -- 'face of God', a place East of the Jordan, also two Israelites


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OT History: 1 Kings 12:25 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)