“1 And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house
of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen [men],
which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the
kingdom again to Rehoboam. 2 But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah
the man of God, saying, 3 Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king
of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, 4 Thus saith
the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return
every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed
the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam. 5 And
Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah. 6 He
built even Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa, 7 And Bethzur, and Shoco, and
Adullam, 8 And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph, 9 And Adoraim, and Lachish,
and Azekah, 10 And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which [are] in Judah
and in Benjamin fenced cities. 11 And he fortified the strong holds, and
put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine. 12 And
in every several city [he put] shields and spears, and made them
exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.”
“13 And the priests and the Levites that [were] in all Israel resorted
to him out of all their coasts. 14 For the Levites left their suburbs
and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and
his sons had cast them off from executing the priest’s office unto the
LORD: 15 And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the
devils, and for the calves which he had made. 16 And after them out of
all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God
of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their
fathers. 17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam
the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in
the way of David and Solomon. 18 And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the
daughter of Jerimoth the son of David to wife, [and] Abihail the
daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse; 19 Which bare him children; Jeush,
and Shamariah, and Zaham. 20 And after her he took Maachah the daughter
of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.
21 And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his
wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore
concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)
22 And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, [to be] ruler
among his brethren: for [he thought] to make him king. 23 And he dealt
wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries
of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city: and he gave them victual
in abundance. And he desired many wives.” (2 Chronicles 11:1-23 AV)
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