Hiel is identified with Bethel. That was the home of sin, a place that has been the subject of much of the action. In 1 Kings 12:29 Jeroboam sets up “gods” in Bethel and Dan. In 1 Kings 12:31 he also made shrines on high places. In 1 Kings 12:32 he made an altar on which to sacrifice to the calves he made. In 1 Kings 13:1–5 a sign was given that the altar in Bethel would be split apart, and its ashes poured out (fulfilled in 2 Kings 23:15–20).
34 In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.