2 Chronicles 11:1-12 - Rehoboam's Kingdom

¹ When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he summoned 180,000 skilled warriors from Judah and Benjamin to attack Israel and restore the kingdom to Rehoboam. ² But the Lord told Shemaiah the prophet, ³ "Say this to King Rehoboam son of Solomon of Judah and to all the Israelites in Judah and Benjamin, ⁴ The Lord says this: "Do not attack and make war with your brothers. Each of you go home, for I have caused this to happen."'" They obeyed the Lord and called off the attack against Jeroboam.

⁵ Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem; he built up these fortified cities throughout Judah: ⁶ Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, ⁷ Beth Zur, Soco, Adullam, ⁸ Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, ⁹ Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, ¹⁰ Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron. These were the fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin. ¹¹ He fortified these cities and placed officers in them, as well as storehouses of food, olive oil, and wine. ¹² In each city there were shields and spears; he strongly fortified them. Judah and Benjamin belonged to him.