1. When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he summoned 180,000 skilled warriors from Judah and Benjamin to attack Israel and restore the kingdom to Rehoboam.
2. But the Lord told Shemaiah the prophet,
3. “Say this to King Rehoboam son of Solomon of Judah and to all the Israelites in Judah and Benjamin,
4. ‘The Lord says this: “Do not attack and make war with your brothers. Each of you go home, for I have caused this to happen.”’” They obeyed the Lord and called off the attack against Jeroboam.
5. Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem; he built up these fortified cities throughout Judah:
6. Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
7. Beth Zur, Soco, Adullam,
8. Gath, Mareshah, Ziph,