7. Beth-Zur, Soco, Adullam,
8. Gath, Mareshah, Ziph,
9. Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,
10. Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron. After he had fortified these cities in the territories of Judah and Benjamin,
11. he assigned an army commander to each of them and stocked them with supplies of food, olive oil, and wine,
12. as well as with shields and spears. He used these fortified cities to keep control of Judah and Benjamin.
13. The priests and Levites from the northern tribes of Israel gave their support to King Rehoboam.
14. And since Jeroboam and the kings of Israel who followed him would not allow any Levites to serve as priests, most Levites left their towns and pasture lands in Israel and moved to Jerusalem and other towns in Judah.