1. And Rehoboam came to Jerusalem; and he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, a hundred and eighty thousand chosen men apt for war, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.
2. But the word of Jehovah came to Shemaiah the man of God saying,
3. Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,
4. Thus saith Jehovah: Go not up, nor fight with your brethren; return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. And they hearkened to the words of Jehovah, and returned from going against Jeroboam.
5. And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.
6. And he built Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
7. and Beth-zur, and Soco, and Adullam,
8. and Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,