3. “Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the Israelites in Judah and Benjamin:
4. ‘This is what the lord says: Do not fight against your relatives. Go back home, for what has happened is my doing!’” So they obeyed the message of the lord and did not fight against Jeroboam.
5. Rehoboam remained in Jerusalem and fortified various towns for the defense of Judah.
6. He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
7. Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam,
8. Gath, Mareshah, Ziph,
9. Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,
10. Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron. These became the fortified towns of Judah and Benjamin.
11. Rehoboam strengthened their defenses and stationed commanders in them, and he stored supplies of food, olive oil, and wine.
12. He also put shields and spears in these towns as a further safety measure. So only Judah and Benjamin remained under his control.
13. But all the priests and Levites living among the northern tribes of Israel sided with Rehoboam.