8. He also built up Gath, Mareshah, Ziph,
9. Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,
10. Zorah, Aijalon and Hebron. All of them were cities in Judah and Benjamin that had high walls around them.
11. Rehoboam made those cities even more secure. He put commanders in them. He gave them plenty of food, olive oil and wine.
12. He put shields and spears in all of those cities. He made them very strong. So he ruled over Judah and Benjamin.
13. The priests and Levites were on Rehoboam's side. They came from their territories all over Israel.
14. The Levites even left their grasslands and other property behind. They came to Judah and Jerusalem. That's because Jeroboam and his sons had refused to accept them as priests of the Lord.