5. Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.
6. He built Bethlehem, 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.
11. He fortified the strongholds, and put captains in them, and stores of food, oil and wine.
12. He put shields and spears in every city, and made them exceedingly strong. Judah and Benjamin belonged to him.
13. The priests and the Levites who were in all Israel stood with him out of all their territory.
14. For the Levites left their pasture lands and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem; for Jeroboam and his sons cast them off, that they should not execute the priest’s office to the Lord.
15. He himself appointed priests for the high places, for the male goats, and for the calves which he had made.
16. After them, out of all the tribes of Israel, those who set their hearts to seek the Lord, the God of Israel, came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the Lord, the God of their fathers.
17. So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong for three years; for they walked three years in the way of David and Solomon.