14:011:001 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.
14:011:002 But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God,
saying,
14:011:003 Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to
all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,
14:011:004 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.
14:011:005 And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence
in Judah.
14:011:006 He built even Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
14:011:007 And Bethzur, and Shoco, and Adullam,
14:011:008 And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,
14:011:009 And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,
14:011:010 And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in
Benjamin fenced cities.
14:011:011 And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them,
and store of victual, and of oil and wine.
14:011:012 And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made
them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
14:011:013 And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel
resorted to him out of all their coasts.
14:011:014 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:
14:011:015 And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the
devils, and for the calves which he had made.
14:011:016 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.
14:011:017 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.
14:011:018 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;
14:011:019 Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham.
14:011:020 And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which
bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.
14:011:021 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.)
14:011:022 And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be
ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.
14:011:023 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.