2 Chronicles - 11

1 - And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem - , he gathered of the house of Judah - and Benjamin - an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel - , that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.

2 - But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

3 - Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon - , king of Judah - , and to all Israel - in Judah - and Benjamin - , saying,

4 - Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam.

5 - And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem - , and built cities for defence in Judah - .

6 - He built even Bethlehem - , and Etam, and Tekoa,

7 - And Bethzur, and Shoco, and Adullam,

8 - And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,

9 - And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,

10 - And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron - - , which are in Judah - and in Benjamin - fenced cities.

11 - And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine.

12 - And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah - and Benjamin - on his side.

13 - And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel - resorted to him out of all their coasts.

14 - For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah - and Jerusalem - : for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the LORD:

15 - And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.

16 - And after them out of all the tribes of Israel - such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel - came to Jerusalem - , to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.

17 - So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah - , and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon - strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David - and Solomon - .

18 - And Rehoboam took him Mahalath - the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David - to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse - ;

19 - Which bare him children; Jeush - , and Shamariah, and Zaham.

20 - And after her he took Maachah - the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.

21 - And Rehoboam loved Maachah - the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)

22 - And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah - the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.

23 - And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah - and Benjamin - , unto every fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance. And he desired many wives.