2 Chronicles 11

1 And when Rehoboam was come to Ierusalem, he gathered of the house of Iudah and Beniamin nine score thousande chosen men of warre to fight against Israel, and to bring the kingdome againe to Rehoboam.

And Roboam came to Jerusalem, and called together all the house of Juda and of Benjamin, a hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men and warriors, to fight against Israel, and to bring back his kingdom to him.

2 But the worde of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

And the word of the Lord came to Semeias the man of God, saying:

3 Speake vnto Rehoboam, the sonne of Salomon King of Iudah, and to all Israel that are in Iudah, and Beniamin, saying,

Speak to Roboam the son of Solomon the king of Juda, and to all Israel, in Juda and Benjamin:

4 Thus sayth the Lord, Ye shall not goe vp, nor fight against your brethren: returne euery man to his house: for this thing is done of me. They obeyed therfore the word of the Lord, and returned from going against Ieroboam.

Thus saith the Lord: You shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: let every man return to his own house, for by my will this thing has been done. And when they heard the word of the Lord, they returned, and did not go against Jeroboam,

5 And Rehoboam dwelt in Ierusalem, and buylt strong cities in Iudah.

And Roboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built walled cities in Juda.

6 Hee buylt also Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,

And he built Bethlehem, and Etam, and Thecue,

7 And Beth-zur, and Shoco, and Adullam,

And Bethsur, and Socho, and Odollam,

8 And Gath, and Maresha, and Ziph,

And Geth, and Maresa, and Ziph,

9 And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,

And Aduram, and Lachis, and Azecha,

10 And Zorah, and Aialon, and Hebron, which were in Iudah and Beniamin, strong cities.

Saraa also, and Aialon, and Hebron, which are in Juda and Benjamin, well fenced cities.

11 And he repaired the strong holdes and put captaines in them, and store of vitaile, and oyle and wine.

And when he had enclosed them with walls, he put in them governors and storehouses of provisions, that is, of oil and of wine.

12 And in all cities he put shieldes and speares, and made them exceeding strong: so Iudah and Beniamin were his.

Moreover in every city he made an armoury of shields and spears, and he fortified them with great diligence, and he reigned over Juda, and Benjamin,

13 And the Priests and the Leuites that were in all Israel, resorted vnto him out of all their coastes.

And the priests and Levites, that were in all Israel, came to him out of all their seats,

14 For the Leuites left their suburbes and their possession, and came to Iudah and to Ierusalem: for Ieroboam and his sonnes had cast them out from ministring in the Priestes office vnto the Lord.

Leaving their suburbs, and their possessions, and passing over to Juda, and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off, from executing the priestly office to the Lord.

15 And he ordeyned him Priests for the hie places, and for the deuils and for the calues which he had made.

And he made to himself priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.

16 And after the Leuites there came to Ierusalem of all the tribes of Israel, such as set their heartes to seeke the Lord God of Israel, to offer vnto the Lord God of their fathers.

Moreover out of all the tribes of Israel, whosoever gave their heart to seek the Lord the God of Israel, came into Jerusalem to sacrifice their victims before the Lord the God of their fathers.

17 So they strengthened the kingdome of Iudah, and made Rehoboam the sonne of Salomon mightie, three yeere long: for three yeere they walked in in the way of Dauid and Salomon.

And they strengthened the kingdom of Juda, and established Roboam the son of Solomon for three years: for they walked in the ways of David and of Solomon, only three years.

18 And Rehoboam tooke him Mahalath ye daughter of Ierimoth the sonne of Dauid to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the sonne of Ishai,

And Roboam took to wife Mahalath, the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David: and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Isai.

19 Which bare him sonnes Ieush, and Shemariah, and Zaham.

And they bore him sons Jehus, and Somorias, and Zoom.

20 And after her he tooke Maakah ye daughter of Absalom which bare him Abiiah, and Atthai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.

And after her he married Maacha the daughter of Absalom, who bore him Abia and Ethai, and Ziza, and Salomith.

21 And Rehoboam loued Maakah ye daughter of Absalom aboue all his wiues and his concubines: for he tooke eighteene wiues, and three score concubines, and begate eyght and twentie sonnes, and three score daughters.

And Roboam loved Maacha the daughter of Absalom above all his wives, and concubines: for he had married eighteen wives, and threescore concubines: and he beget eight and twenty sons, and threescore daughters.

22 And Rehoboam made Abiiah the sonne of Maakah the chiefe ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him King.

But he put at the head of them Abia the son of Maacha to be the chief ruler over all his brethren: for he meant to make him king,

23 And he taught him: and dispersed all his sonnes throughout all the countreis of Iudah and Beniamin vnto euery strong citie: and hee gaue them aboundance of vitaile, and desired many wiues.

Because he was wiser and mightier than all his sons, and in all the countries of Juda, and of Benjamin, and in all the walled cities: and he gave them provisions in abundance, and he sought many wives.