Study Desk

Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and ^(C1)built cities for defense in Judah.

He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam,

Gath, Mareshah, Ziph,

Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,

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

He also strengthened the fortresses and put officers in them and supplies of food, oil, and wine.

He put shields and spears in every city and strengthened them greatly. So he held Judah and Benjamin.

Moreover, the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel also stood with him from all their districts.

For ^(C1)the Levites left their pasture lands and their property and went to Judah and Jerusalem, because ^(C2)Jeroboam and his sons had excluded them from serving as priests to the LORD.

^(C1)He set up priests of his own for the high places, for the satyrs and the calves which he had made.

^(C1)Those from all the tribes of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the LORD God of Israel ^(F1)followed them to Jerusalem, to sacrifice to the LORD God of their fathers.

^(C1)They strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam the son of Solomon for three years, for they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years.