Thematic Bible

2 Chronicles 11:1

Now when Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, 180,000 chosen warriors to fight against [the ten tribes of] Israel to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam.

2 Chronicles 11:2

But the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

2 Chronicles 11:3

“Say to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin,

2 Chronicles 11:4

‘Thus says the Lord: “You shall not go up nor fight against your brothers (countrymen); return, every man to his house, for this thing is from Me.”’” And they listened to and obeyed the words of the Lord and turned back from going against Jeroboam.

2 Chronicles 11:5

Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built [fortified] cities for defense in Judah.

2 Chronicles 11:6

He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

2 Chronicles 11:7

Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam,

2 Chronicles 11:8

Gath, Mareshah, Ziph,

2 Chronicles 11:9

Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,

2 Chronicles 11:10

Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, which are fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin.

2 Chronicles 11:11

He strengthened the fortresses and put officers in them, with supplies of food, [olive] oil, and wine.

2 Chronicles 11:12

And in each city he put [large] shields and spears, and made them very strong. So he held Judah and Benjamin.

2 Chronicles 11:13

Further, the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel took their stand with Rehoboam from all their districts.

2 Chronicles 11:14

For the Levites left their pasture lands and their property and came to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had excluded them from serving as priests to the Lord.

2 Chronicles 11:15

Jeroboam appointed his own priests for the high places, for the satyrs (goat demons) and calves (idols) which he had made.

2 Chronicles 11:16

Those from all the tribes of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the Lord God of Israel followed them to Jerusalem, to sacrifice to the Lord God of their fathers.

2 Chronicles 11:17

So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam the son of Solomon for three years; for they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years.

2 Chronicles 11:18

Rehoboam took as his wife Mahalath, the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David, and of Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse.

2 Chronicles 11:19

She bore him sons: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham.

2 Chronicles 11:20

After her he took Maacah the daughter (granddaughter) of Absalom, and she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.

2 Chronicles 11:21

Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter (granddaughter) of Absalom more than all his wives and concubines—for he had taken eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and he fathered twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.

2 Chronicles 11:22

Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah the chief leader among his brothers, because he intended to make him king.

2 Chronicles 11:23

He acted wisely and distributed some of his sons throughout the territories of Judah and Benjamin to all the fortified cities. He gave them abundant provisions, and he sought many wives for them.