Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Kings 16:34

"In his days did Hiel the Beth-elite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof with the loss of Abiram his first-born, and set up the gates thereof with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of Jehovah, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun." — 1 Kings 16:34 (ASV)

Did Hiel ... build Jericho. — This marks both the growth of prosperity and power, and the neglect of the old curse of Joshua (Joshua 6:26). The place had not, it seems, been entirely deserted. (2 Samuel 10:5.) But it was now made—what it continued to be even down to the time of Herod—an important place. Its natural advantages were great.

It stood in a well-watered position and was consequently of great beauty and fruitfulness (“the city of palm trees”). Moreover, it was a city of military consequence, commanding the pass from the Jordan valley to the high ground of Ai and Bethel. Having been assigned to Benjamin (Joshua 18:21), it should have properly belonged to the kingdom of Judah. Its rebuilding by a Bethelite, evidently under the patronage of Ahab, is one of the indications of a half-dependent condition of the Southern kingdom at this time.