2 Chronicles 11

And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.

When Rehoboam returned to Jerusalem, he rallied 180,000 of Judah and Benjamin's bravest warriors. Their mission was clear - to battle Israel and reclaim the kingdom for Rehoboam.

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

The divine message from the LORD reached Shemaiah, the devoted servant of God, whispering,

Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,

Tell Rehoboam, Solomon's son and king of Judah, and all the people of Judah and Benjamin, with heartfelt sincerity, this message:

Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: 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.

The Lord spoke, "Do not battle your brothers. Go home, for I have willed this." They listened to God's command and ceased their conflict with Jeroboam.

And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.

Rehoboam made his home in Jerusalem, constructing fortified cities throughout Judah for protection.

He built even Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,

With great passion and dedication, he lovingly constructed Bethlehem, Etam, and Tekoa.

And Bethzur, and Shoco, and Adullam,

He also built up Bethzur, Shoco, and Adullam,

And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,

Gath, Mareshah, and Ziph,

And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,

Adoraim, Lachish, and Azekah,

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

Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, nestled in the hearts of Judah and Benjamin, stood as fortified cities, brimming with life and strength.

And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine.

He strengthened the fortresses, appointed leaders, and filled them with food, oil, and wine.

And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.

In each city, he placed weapons, fortifying them greatly, with the support of Judah and Benjamin.

And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts.

Every priest and Levite across Israel, from every corner, felt drawn to him, compelled to gather around him.

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:

The Levites, feeling abandoned and rejected, left their homes and lands, journeying to Judah and Jerusalem. Jeroboam and his sons had cruelly stripped them of their sacred duties as priests to the LORD.

And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.

He appointed his own priests for the sacred hills, for the demons, and for the calf idols he had made, with misguided intentions.

And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.

Following them, from every tribe of Israel, those who passionately sought the Lord God of Israel journeyed to Jerusalem. They came to offer sacrifices to the Lord God, honoring the faith of their ancestors.

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.

They empowered Judah's kingdom and fortified Rehoboam, Solomon's son, for three years. For those years, they faithfully followed the path of David and Solomon.

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;

Rehoboam, filled with love, married Mahalath, the beautiful daughter of Jerimoth, who was David's son. He also wed Abihail, the charming daughter of Eliab, Jesse's son.

Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham.

She blessed him with children; Jeush, Shamariah, and Zaham.

And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.

After her, he lovingly chose Maachah, Absalom's daughter. She blessed him with four children - Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.

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.)

Rehoboam cherished Maachah, Absalom's daughter, more than all his other wives and lovers. Despite having eighteen wives, sixty mistresses, and fathering twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters, his heart belonged to Maachah.

And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.

Rehoboam, filled with hope and trust, appointed his son Abijah, born of Maachah, as the leader among his brothers. His heart was set on crowning him as king.

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.

He acted with great wisdom, spreading his children across the lands of Judah and Benjamin, even in the fortified cities. He provided them with plenty of food. His heart yearned for numerous wives.