1. AND WHEN Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled of the house of Judah and Benjamin 180,000 chosen warriors to fight against [the ten rebellious tribes of] Israel to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.
2. But the word of the Lord 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 the Lord: You shall not go up or fight against your brethren. Return every man to his house, for this thing is from Me. And they obeyed the Lord and returned from going against Jeroboam.
5. Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem and built cities for defense in Judah.
6. He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
7. Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam,
8. Gath, Mareshah, Ziph,
9. Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,
10. Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, which are fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin.
11. He fortified the strongholds and put captains in them, with stores of food, oil, and vintage fruits.
12. And in each city he put shields and spears, and made them very strong. So he held Judah and Benjamin.
13. And the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel came over to Rehoboam from wherever they lived.
14. For the Levites left their suburbs and their possessions and came to Judah and Jerusalem, for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them out from executing the priest's office to the Lord.