The Second Book of the Chronicles

⭑ Douay-Rheims :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 11 -

(1 Kings 12:20–24)

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.

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

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

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,

Rehoboam Fortifies Judah

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

And he built Bethlehem, and Etam, and Thecue,

And Bethsur, and Socho, and Odollam,

And Geth, and Maresa, and Ziph,

And Aduram, and Lachis, and Azecha,

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

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

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,

Jeroboam Forsakes the Priests and Levites

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Rehoboam’s Family

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

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

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

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.

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,

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.

(1 Kings 12:20–24)

When Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, one hundred eighty thousand chosen men who were warriors, to fight against Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.

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

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

‘The LORD says, “You shall not go up, nor fight against your brothers! Every man return to his house; for this thing is of me.”’” So they listened to the LORD’s words, and returned from going against Jeroboam.

Rehoboam Fortifies Judah

Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and 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 in Benjamin.

He fortified the strongholds and put captains in them with stores of food, oil and wine.

He put shields and spears in every city, and made them exceedingly strong. Judah and Benjamin belonged to him.

Jeroboam Forsakes the Priests and Levites

The priests and the Levites who were in all Israel stood with him out of all their territory.

For the Levites left their pasture lands and their possessions, and came to Judah and Jerusalem; for Jeroboam and his sons cast them off, that they should not execute the priest’s office to the LORD.

He himself appointed priests for the high places, for the male goat and calf idols which he had made.

After them, out of all the tribes of Israel, those who set their hearts to seek the LORD, the God of Israel, came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD, the God of their fathers.

So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong for three years, for they walked three years in the way of David and Solomon.

Rehoboam’s Family

Rehoboam took a wife for himself, Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David and of Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse.

She bore him sons: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham.

After her, he took Maacah the granddaughter of Absalom; and she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.

Rehoboam loved Maacah the granddaughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines; for he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and became the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.

Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, the prince among his brothers, for he intended to make him king.

He dealt wisely, and dispersed some of his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city. He gave them food in abundance; and he sought many wives for them.