25. Jeroboam built Shechem—destroyed by Abimelech (Judges 9:1-49). It was rebuilt, and perhaps fortified, by Jeroboam, as a royal residence. built Penuel—a ruined city with a tower (Judges 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. read more
A. The First Period of Antagonism 12:1-16:28After the division of the kingdom, their respective kings were hostile to one another for 57 years. read more
Jeroboam’s idolatry 12:25-33During its history the Northern Kingdom had three capitals: first Shechem (1 Kings 12:25), later Tirzah (1 Kings 14:17; 1 Kings 15:33), and finally Samaria (1 Kings 16:23-24). Perhaps the king strengthened Penuel in west-central Gilead as a transjordanian provincial center. Like Shechem, Penuel (Peniel) was an important site in patriarchal times (Genesis 32:30). By strengthening these sites, Jeroboam appears to have been trying to get the residents of his kingdom to... read more
The Revolt of the Ten Tribes. Rehoboam and JeroboamThe revolt of the Ten Tribes against the rule of Rehoboam had its origin partly in the discontent which the burdens laid on the people by Solomon had created and which Jeroboam (who knew of it, see 1 Kings 11:28) had perhaps stimulated, and partly in the jealousy subsisting between the northern tribes and Judah, which had manifested itself previously in the separate kingdoms of Ish-bosheth and David, and the insurrections that disturbed David’s... read more
(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... read more
Religion Made Easy 1 Kings 12:28 Hebe was an adroit and subtle appeal to human nature. Tell the people they are tired; seem to be very anxious about their health; assure them that nothing but a true concern for their physical condition could ever have impelled you to consider the long distance to Jerusalem. Keep them away from Jerusalem, keep them away from the old songs and the old memories, from the reminiscences that start up and make a powerful appeal to human pathos; as it were, lay your... read more
III. THE DIVIDED KINGDOM 1. Rehoboam and the Revolt of the Ten Tribes CHAPTER 12 1. The revolt of the northern tribes (1 Kings 12:1-20 ) 2. The threatening war averted (1 Kings 12:21-24 ) 3. Jeroboam’s wicked schemes (1 Kings 12:25-33 ) Rehoboam (enlarger of the people) is the only son of Solomon mentioned in the Bible (1 Chronicles 3:10 ). Ecclesiastes 2:18-19 ; Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 seem to give a hint that his father was fearful about his reign in his stead. In 2 Chronicles 10:13 we... read more
THE TEN TRIBES REBEL (vs.1-24) Rehoboam went to Shechem for his inauguration as king of Israel (v.1). Jereboam, in Egypt, received word quickly of Solomon's death, and his friends in Israel sent to have him recalled from Egypt. Thus they had a capable leader to represent the cause of the majority in Israel before Rehoboam. Jereboam and the other representatives of Israel came to Rehoboam as soon as he had been made king. They had a serious request. They said Solomon had made their yoke... read more
EARLY DAYS OF TWO KINGDOMS CAUSE OF THE DIVISION (1 Kings 12:1-25 ) 1 Kings 12:2-4 look as though there were a preconcerted purpose to revolt, and yet who can tell what a different history might have followed had the new king heeded wiser counsel? Note the reason of the protest, which was not Solomon’s idolatry and the heathenism he introduced, but their financial burdens; their civil oppression, rather than their religious wrongs. It is still so, and political reform looks only on the... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 12:25
1 Kings 12:25. Jeroboam built Shechem— 1:e. Rebuilt, enlarged, and beautified it, and made it a royal city. read more