2 Chronicles 11)
1 And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, (see 1 Kings 11:35) which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.
2 But the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah (cp. 12:5 and 1 Kings 12:22. Ps. 90 title) the man of God, saying,
3 "Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,
4 'Thus says the Lord, 'You shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of Me.' ' " (a chastisement for the apostasy of Solomon, and the arrogance of Rehoboam) And they obeyed the words of the Lord, and returned from going against Jeroboam.
A2 E 11:5-12. Residence.
F 11:13-17. Faithfulness.
E 11:18-22. Marriage.
F 12:1. Apostasy.
5 And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and rebuilt cities for defense in Judah. (Evidently these 15 cities were for defense against Egypt, because of Jeroboam's influence there [10:2]. His fears well grounded [12:2,4 and 1 Kings 14:25)
6 He built even Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
7 And Bethzur, and Shoco, and Adullam,
8 And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,
9 And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,
10 And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities.
11 And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine.
12 And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
13 And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their borders. (Thus the mingling of Israel with Judah was continued. See 1 Kings 12:17)
14 For 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 to the Lord:
15 And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the goats, (representing demons) and for the calves which he (Jeroboam) had made.
16 And following them out of all the tribes of Israel such as gave their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice to the Lord God of their fathers.
890-877 B.C.
17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: (see 12:17) for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.
18 And Rehoboam took him Malahath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse;
19 Which [later] bare him sons; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham.
20 And after her he took Maachah (her other name was Michaiah [13:2]) the daughter of Absalom; (same as Abishalom [1 Kings 15:2]) which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.
21 And 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.)
22 And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the head, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.
23 And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his sons throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city: and he gave them (i.e. the sons) victual in abundance. And he desired many wives [for them].