2 Chronicles 11: God’s Plan Amidst Political Turmoil
2 Chronicles 11:1 And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin a hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.
2 Chronicles 11:2 But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
2 Chronicles 11:3 Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,
2 Chronicles 11:5 And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.
2 Chronicles 11:6 He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
2 Chronicles 11:7 And Beth-zur, and Shoco, and Adullam,
2 Chronicles 11:8 And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,
2 Chronicles 11:9 And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah
2 Chronicles 11:10 And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities.
2 Chronicles 11:11 And he fortified the strongholds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine.
2 Chronicles 11:12 And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
2 Chronicles 11:13 And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts.
2 Chronicles 11:14 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 unto the LORD
2 Chronicles 11:15 And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.
2 Chronicles 11:17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.
2 Chronicles 11:18 And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse;
2 Chronicles 11:19 Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham.
2 Chronicles 11:20 And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.
2 Chronicles 11:22 And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.
2 Chronicles 11:23 And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance. And he desired many wives.