1. And when Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin one hundred and eighty thousand chosen men, who 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 hath the Lord said, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren; return each man to his house; for this thing is done of me. And they heard the word of the Lord and returned and did not go against Jeroboam.
5. And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem and built cities for defence in Judah.
6. He built 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 provisions and wine and oil;
12. and in all the cities he put shields and spears. He fortified them greatly, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
13. And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel gathered unto him out of all their borders.