2 Chronicles11

Upon his return to Jerusalem, Rehoboam prepared to wage war against Israel but was divinely commanded through the prophet Shemaiah not to fight, as the kingdom's division was God's will. He then focused on fortifying numerous cities throughout Judah and Benjamin. Priests, Levites, and other devout Israelites migrated to Judah due to Jeroboam's idolatry, strengthening Rehoboam's kingdom for three years. Rehoboam also established a large household and designated Abijah as his intended successor.

Rehoboam Forbidden to Fight Israel

1
And when Rehoboam was come to Ierusalem, he gathered of the house of Iudah and Beniamin nine score thousande chosen men of warre to fight against Israel, and to bring the kingdome againe to Rehoboam.
2
But the worde of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
3
Speake vnto Rehoboam, the sonne of Salomon King of Iudah, and to all Israel that are in Iudah, and Beniamin, saying,
4
Thus sayth the Lord, Ye shall not goe vp, nor fight against your brethren: returne euery man to his house: for this thing is done of me. They obeyed therfore the word of the Lord, and returned from going against Ieroboam.

Rehoboam Fortifies Judah

5
And Rehoboam dwelt in Ierusalem, and buylt strong cities in Iudah.
6
Hee buylt also Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
7
And Beth-zur, and Shoco, and Adullam,
8
And Gath, and Maresha, and Ziph,
9
And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,
10
And Zorah, and Aialon, and Hebron, which were in Iudah and Beniamin, strong cities.
11
And he repaired the strong holdes and put captaines in them, and store of vitaile, and oyle and wine.
12
And in all cities he put shieldes and speares, and made them exceeding strong: so Iudah and Beniamin were his.

Priests and Loyalists Migrate South

13
And the Priests and the Leuites that were in all Israel, resorted vnto him out of all their coastes.
14
For the Leuites left their suburbes and their possession, and came to Iudah and to Ierusalem: for Ieroboam and his sonnes had cast them out from ministring in the Priestes office vnto the Lord.
15
And he ordeyned him Priests for the hie places, and for the deuils and for the calues which he had made.
16
And after the Leuites there came to Ierusalem of all the tribes of Israel, such as set their heartes to seeke the Lord God of Israel, to offer vnto the Lord God of their fathers.
17
So they strengthened the kingdome of Iudah, and made Rehoboam the sonne of Salomon mightie, three yeere long: for three yeere they walked in in the way of Dauid and Salomon.

Rehoboam’s Family and Succession Planning

18
And Rehoboam tooke him Mahalath ye daughter of Ierimoth the sonne of Dauid to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the sonne of Ishai,
19
Which bare him sonnes Ieush, and Shemariah, and Zaham.
20
And after her he tooke Maakah ye daughter of Absalom which bare him Abiiah, and Atthai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.
21
And Rehoboam loued Maakah ye daughter of Absalom aboue all his wiues and his concubines: for he tooke eighteene wiues, and three score concubines, and begate eyght and twentie sonnes, and three score daughters.
22
And Rehoboam made Abiiah the sonne of Maakah the chiefe ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him King.
23
And he taught him: and dispersed all his sonnes throughout all the countreis of Iudah and Beniamin vnto euery strong citie: and hee gaue them aboundance of vitaile, and desired many wiues.
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