1. Now when Rehoboam arrived at Jerusalem, he assembled the House of Judah and Benjamin, 180,000 chosen men who were warriors, to fight against Israel in order to restore the kingdom back to Rehoboam.
2. But the word of Adonai came to Shemaiah the man of God saying:
3. “Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin saying,
4. ‘Thus says Adonai, You shall not go up nor fight against your kinsmen. Let everyone return to his house for this matter is of Me.’ ” So they listened to the words of Adonai and returned from marching against Jeroboam.
5. Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built fortified cities for defense in Judah.
6. He built up Beth-lehem, Etam, Tekoa,
7. Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam,
8. Gath, Mareshah, Ziph,
9. Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,
10. Zorah, Aijalon and Hebron, which are fortified cities in Judah and in Benjamin.