2 Chronicles 11 KJVAE

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

2. But the word of the Lord came to Shemai´ah the man of God, saying,

3. Speak unto Rehobo´am 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 Jerobo´am.

5. And Rehobo´am dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defense in Judah.

6. He built even Bethlehem, and Etam, and Teko´a,

7. and Beth–zur, and Shoco, and Adul´lam,

8. and Gath, and Mare´shah, and Ziph,

9. and Adora´im, and Lachish, and Aze´kah,

10. and Zorah, and Aj´alon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin, fenced cities.

11. And he fortified the strongholds, and put captains in them, and store of victuals, 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 Jerobo´am 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 Rehobo´am the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.

18. And Rehobo´am took him Ma´halath the daughter of Jer´imoth the son of David to wife, and Ab´ihail the daughter of Eli´ab the son of Jesse;

19. which bare him children; Je´ush, and Shemari´ah, and Zaham.

20. And after her he took Ma´achah the daughter of Ab´salom; which bare him Abi´jah, and At´tai, and Ziza, and Shelo´mith.

21. And Rehobo´am loved Ma´achah the daughter of Ab´salom 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 Rehobo´am made Abi´jah the son of Ma´achah 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 victuals in abundance. And he desired many wives.