¹ And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin to the number of nine score thousand choice men of war to fight with Israel, for to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam. ² But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, ³ "Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon king of Judah and to all Israel that are in Judah, and to Benjamin, and say, ⁴ 'Thus sayeth the LORD. Go not nor fight with your brethren: But 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.

⁵ And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built strong cities in Judah: ⁶ as Bethlehem, Etam and Tekoa; ⁷ Bethzur, Socoh and Adullam; ⁸ Gath, Mareshah and Ziph; ⁹ Adoraim, Lachish and Azekah; ¹⁰ Zorah, Aijalon and Hebron: Which were the strong cities of Judah and Benjamin. ¹¹ And when he had repaired such strong cities, he put captains in them and store of victuals, and of oil and wine. ¹² And he ordained in all cities shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong. And so Judah and Benjamin were under him.