John Gill Commentary 1 Kings 12:25

"Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill-country of Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and he went out from thence, and built Penuel." — 1 Kings 12:25 (ASV)

Then Jeroboam built Shechem in Mount Ephraim, and dwelt
there
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 there, 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.