3 “Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin,
4 ‘This is what the Lord says: Do not go up to fight against your fellow Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.’ ” So they obeyed the words of the Lord and turned back from marching against Jeroboam.
5 Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built up towns for defense in Judah:
6 Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
7 Beth Zur, Soko, Adullam,
8 Gath, Mareshah, Ziph,
9 Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,