Shemaiah’s Prophecy
(1 Kings 12:20–24)

1And 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. 2But the worde of the Lorde came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 3Speake vnto Rehoboam, the sonne of Salomon King of Iudah, and to all Israel that are in Iudah, and Beniamin, saying, 4Thus sayth the Lorde, 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.

Rehoboam Fortifies Judah

5And Rehoboam dwelt in Ierusalem, and buylt strong cities in Iudah. 6Hee buylt also Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa, 7And Beth-zur, and Shoco, and Adullam, 8And Gath, and Maresha, and Ziph, 9And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah, 10And Zorah, and Aialon, and Hebron, which were in Iudah and Beniamin, strong cities. 11And he repaired the strong holdes and put captaines in them, and store of vitaile, and oyle and wine. 12And in all cities he put shieldes & speares, and made them exceeding strong: so Iudah and Beniamin were his.

Jeroboam Forsakes the Priests and Levites

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

14For the Leuites left their suburbes & 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 Lorde. 15And he ordeyned him Priests for the hie places, & for the deuils and for the calues which he had made. 16And 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. 17So 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.

Rehoboam’s Family

18And Rehoboam tooke him Mahalath ye daughter of Ierimoth the sonne of Dauid to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the sonne of Ishai, 19Which bare him sonnes Ieush, and Shemariah, and Zaham. 20And after her he tooke Maakah ye daughter of Absalom which bare him Abiiah, and Atthai, and Ziza, and Shelomith. 21And 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. 22And Rehoboam made Abiiah the sonne of Maakah the chiefe ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him King. 23And 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.