Rehoboam’s Kingdom

11 When Rehoboam came to Jerusalem he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, one hundred and eighty thousand chosen warriors,[fn] to fight against Israel to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam. 2 But the word of Yahweh came to Shemaiah, the man of God, saying, 3 “Say to Rehoboam, son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, 4 ‘Thus says Yahweh: “Do not go up, and do not fight against your brothers. Return, each man to his house, for this matter has come from me.” ’ ” So they obeyed the words of Yahweh and turned back from going against Jeroboam.

5 And Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and he built cities as strongholds in Judah. 6 He built Bethlehem, Etah, Tekoa, 7 Beth-Zur, Socoh, Adullam, 8 Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, 9 Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, 10 Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, fortified cities that are in Judah and in Benjamin. 11 And he strengthened the fortifications and put commanders in them, along with stores of food, olive oil, and wine. 12 And in all the cities he put shields and spears, and he greatly strengthened them. So he had Judah and Benjamin.