1. When Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he gathered the people of Judah and Benjamin, 180,000 of the best soldiers, to fight against Israel and return the kingdom to Rehoboam.
2. But God spoke his word to Shemaiah, the man of God. He said,
3. “Speak to Judah’s King Rehoboam, son of Solomon, and all Israel in Judah and Benjamin.
4. This is what the Lord says: Don’t wage war against your relatives. Everyone, go home. What has happened is my doing.” So they obeyed the word of the Lord. They turned back from their attack on Jer o boam.
5. Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built fortified cities in Judah.
6. He rebuilt Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
7. Beth Zur, Soco, Adullam,