1And 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.
2And 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.
3But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
4But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
5Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,
6Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,
7Thus 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.
8Thus 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.
9¶ And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.
10¶ And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.
11He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
12He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
13And Beth-zur, and Shoco, and Adullam,
14And Beth-zur, and Shoco, and Adullam,
15And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,
16And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,
17And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,
18And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,
19And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities.
20And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities.
21And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine.
22And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine.
23And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
24And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
25¶ And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts.11.13 resorted…: Heb. presented themselves to him
26¶ And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts.11.13 resorted…: Heb. presented themselves to him
27For 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:
28For 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:
29And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.
30And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.
31And 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.
32And 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.
33So 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.
34So 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.
35¶ 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;
36¶ 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;
37Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham.
38Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham.
39And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.11.20 Maachah: she is also called Michaiah the daughter of Uriel
40And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.11.20 Maachah: she is also called Michaiah the daughter of Uriel
41And 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.)
42And 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.)
43And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.
44And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.
45And 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.11.23 many wives: Heb. a multitude of wives
46And 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.11.23 many wives: Heb. a multitude of wives