2 Chronicles 11
Rehoboam assembles Judah to fight Israel
When Rehoboam got to Jerusalem, he drafted 180,000 warriors from Judah and Benjamin to fight against Israel and restore his place on the throne. But the Existing One's gave a message to Shemaiah (a godly man): “Tell Solomon's son, King Rehoboam, ‘The Existing One says you shouldn't fight against your relatives. Send everyone back to their homes on my behalf.’” So they listened to the Existing One's message and went back home without fighting Jeroboam.
Rehoboam builds fortified cities
Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem where he built fortified cities for Judah and Benjamin including Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron. He built strong fortresses with commanders, and also built storehouses for food, oil, and wine. He put strong shields and spears in all the cities, thus holding Judah and Benjamin.
Rehoboam fires priests and establishes idols
Jeroboam and his sons gathered all of the Existing One's priests and Levites throughout Israel and decommissioned them, so he could appoint his own priests for the goat idols and calves he made. Everyone who still sought Israel's God the Existing One left their tribe and went to Jerusalem where they sacrificed to their ancestors' God, the Existing One. They strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and secured Rehoboam's reign by following in David and Solomon's footsteps for three years.
Rehoboam’s children
Rehoboam married Mahalath who bore him sons: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham. Later on, Rehoboam married Maacah (Absalom's daughter) who bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith. Out of all his 18 wives and 60 concubines, Rehoboam loved Maacah the most. All together, Rehoboam had 28 sons and 60 daughters. Then Rehoboam appointed Abijah (Maacah's son) as chief prince above all his brothers, intending to make him king. He dealt wisely and distributed his sons throughout Judah's and Benjamin's fortified cities, giving them abundant provisions and procuring wives for them.