1And when Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin a hundred eighty thousand chosen warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might restore the kingdom to Rehoboam.
2But the word of the LORD 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,
4Thus says the LORD, ‘You shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren. Return every man to his house; for this thing is done by Me.’ And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam.
5And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defense in Judah.
6He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
7Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam,
8Gath, Mareshah, Ziph,
9Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,
10Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, which are fortified cities in Judah and in Benjamin.
11And he strengthened the strongholds, and put commanders in them, and stored supplies of food, oil and wine.
12And in every city he put shields and spears, and made them very strong, to hold Judah and Benjamin.
13And the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their districts.
14For the Levites left their suburban lands and their property, and came to Judah and Jerusalem; for Jeroboam and his sons had removed them from executing the priest's office unto the LORD:
15And Jeroboam appointed his own priests for the high places, and for the satyrs (he-goats), and the calves which he had made.
16And those of all the tribes of Israel, that set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.
17So 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.
18And Rehoboam took Mahalath, the daughter of Jerimoth, a son of David, and Abihail, a daughter of Eliab, a son of Jesse as his wives;
19Who bore him children: Jeush, Shamariah, and Zaham.
20And after her he took Maachah, a daughter of Absalom; who bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.
21And Rehoboam loved Maachah, the daughter of Absalom, above all his wives and his concubines. In all, he had eighteen wives, and sixty concubines; and fathered twenty-eight sons, and sixty daughters.
22And Rehoboam made Abijah, the son of Maachah, the chief, to be ruler among his brethren; for he thought to make him king.
23And he dealt wisely, and distributed some of his sons throughout all the territories of Judah and Benjamin, and to every fortified city; and he gave them abundant provisions. And he sought many wives for them. Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
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