2 Chronicles 11:1-10 ▼

1 When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he mobilized the house of Judah and Benjamin— 180,000 chosen warriors— to fight against Israel and restore the kingdom to Rehoboam.

2 But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God:

3 “Tell Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah and all the Israelites in Judah and Benjamin

4 that this is what the LORD says: ‘You are not to go up and fight against your brothers. Each of you must return home, for this word is from Me.’ ” So they listened to the words of the LORD and turned back from going against Jeroboam.

5 Rehoboam continued to live in Jerusalem, and he built up cities for defense in Judah.

6 He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

7 Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam,

8 Gath, Mareshah, Ziph,

9 Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,

10 Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, the fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin.