4. ‘Thus says Adonai, You shall not go up nor fight against your kinsmen. Let everyone return to his house for this matter is of Me.’ ” So they listened to the words of Adonai and returned from marching against Jeroboam.
5. Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built fortified cities for defense in Judah.
6. He built up Beth-lehem, Etam, Tekoa,
7. Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam,
8. Gath, Mareshah, Ziph,
9. Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,
10. Zorah, Aijalon and Hebron, which are fortified cities in Judah and in Benjamin.
11. He also strengthened the fortified towns and put commanders in them, along with stores of food, oil and wine.