2 Chronicles 11
1 And when Rehobam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of David 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 Semeiah the man of God saying:
3 speak unto Rehoboam the son of Salomon king of Juda and to all Israel that are in Juda, 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 Juda:
6 as Bethlehem, Etam and Thekuah:
7 Bethzur, Socho and Odollam:
8 Geth, Maresah and Ziph:
9 Adurahim, Lachis and Asecah:
10 Zarah Aialon and Hebron. Which were the strong cities of Juda and Benjamin.
11 And when he had repaired such strong cities, he put captains in them and store of vitailles, and of oil and wine.
12 And he ordained in all cities shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong. And so Juda and Benjamin were under him.
13 And the priests and Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him, out of all their coasts.
14 Insomuch that the Levites left their Suburbs and possessions and came to Juda and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them out from ministering unto the LORD.
15 And he ordained him priests of hillaltars both to field devils and also to the calves which he had made.
16 And after them there came of all the tribes of Israel (such as their hearts moved them to seek the LORD God of Israel) to Jerusalem to offer unto the LORD God of their fathers.
17 And so they strengthe the kingdom of Juda and made Rehoboam the son of Salomon mighty three year long, for three year they walked in the way of David and Salomon.
18 And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Isai,
19 which bare him children: Jeus, Samariah and Zaham.
20 And after her he took Maacah the daughter of Absalom which bare him Abiah, Ethai, Ziza and Salumith.
21 But Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and concubines for he took eighteen wives and three score concubines, and begat three score daughters and twenty eight sons.
22 And Rehoboam made Abiah the son of Maacah the chief ruler among his brethren, for to make him king.
23 And he played wisely and scattered of all his children thorowout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin in every strong city. And he gave them abundance of vitailles, and asked many wives.