The Prophecy of Shemaiah
2 Chronicles 11, verse 1. When Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled one hundred eighty thousand young men, warriors from Judah and Benjamin, to fight against Israel and restore the kingdom to Rehoboam. 2 Chronicles 11, verse 2. But the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 2 Chronicles 11, verse 3. “Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon and to all Judah and Benjamin, saying, 2 Chronicles 11, verse 4. ‘Thus says the Lord: “You shall not go up and fight against your brethren! Let every man return to his house, for this is from Me.”’” And they obeyed the words of the Lord and turned back from marching against Jeroboam.
Defensive Fortifications
2 Chronicles 11, verse 5. So Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem and built cities with walls in Judah. 2 Chronicles 11, verse 6. He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, 2 Chronicles 11, verse 7. Beth Zur, Sochoh, Adullam, 2 Chronicles 11, verse 8. Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, 2 Chronicles 11, verse 9. Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, 2 Chronicles 11, verse 10. Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, walled cities which belong to Judah and Benjamin. 2 Chronicles 11, verse 11. He fortified them with walls and put captains in them and stores of food, olive oil, and wine. 2 Chronicles 11, verse 12. In every city he put shields and spears and made them very strong, and they belonged to Judah and Benjamin. 2 Chronicles 11, verse 13. And the priests and the Levites throughout Israel gathered to him from all their regions. 2 Chronicles 11, verse 14. For the Levites left the habitations of their possessions and came to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them from serving the Lord. 2 Chronicles 11, verse 15. Then he appointed for himself priests for the high places and the idols, and the vain things and the calves Jeroboam had made. 2 Chronicles 11, verse 16. Then Jeroboam cast them out of the tribes of Israel, those who had set their heart on seeking the Lord God of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the Lord God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 11, verse 17. So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and strengthened Rehoboam the son of Solomon for three years, because he walked in the ways of David and Solomon for three years.
Rehoboam's Family
2 Chronicles 11, verse 18. Then Rehoboam took as his wife Mahalath, the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David, and of Abihail the daughter of Eliah the son of Jesse. 2 Chronicles 11, verse 19. And she bore him children: Jeush, Shamariah, and Zaham. 2 Chronicles 11, verse 20. Then he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom, and she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith. 2 Chronicles 11, verse 21. Now Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom more than all his wives and concubines, for he took eighteen wives and thirty concubines and begot twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters. 2 Chronicles 11, verse 22. And Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maachah as chief to be the leader among his brothers, for he intended to make him king. 2 Chronicles 11, verse 23. He grew more powerful than all his sons throughout the territories of Judah and Benjamin and in all the fortified cities, and he gave them provisions in abundance. He also sought many wives for them.