1 Rehoboam went to Jerusalem. He got 180,000 men to fight and take the land back from Israel. ⚔️️ 2 God spoke to a man named Shemaiah. 3 God said, Tell King Rehoboam and the people in Judah and Benjamin. ️ 4 God said, Do not fight your family. Go home. I made this happen. ⚔️ 5 Rehoboam stayed in Jerusalem and built strong towns in Judah. 6 He built in Bethlehem, Etam, and Tekoa. 7 He built in Beth-zur, Soco, and Adullam. ️ 8 He built in Gath, Mareshah, and Ziph. ️ 9 He built in Adoraim, Lachish, and Azekah. ️ 10 He built in Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron. These were strong towns in Judah and Benjamin. 11 He made the towns strong. He put leaders there with food, oil, and drink. ️ 12 He put many shields and spears there. The towns were very strong. He kept Judah and Benjamin safe. ️️ 13 Men who work for God came to Rehoboam from all Israel. ♂️♀️➡️️ 14 They left their land and homes. They went to Judah and Jerusalem. Jeroboam and his sons said they could not work for God there. ➡️️ 15 Jeroboam picked his own god men for hill places and for fake goat and calf gods he made. ⛰️ 16 Many people who wanted God came to Jerusalem to give gifts to God. ♂️♀️➡️️ 17 They made Judah strong and helped King Rehoboam for three years. They did good like David and Solomon for three years. 3️⃣ 18 Rehoboam married a woman named Mahalath. She was from David’s family. 19 Mahalath had sons for him: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham. 20 He married Maacah, Absalom’s girl. She had Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith. 21 Rehoboam loved Maacah the most. He had 18 wives and 60 other women. He had 28 sons and 60 girls. ❤️ 22 Rehoboam picked Abijah, Maacah’s son, to be leader. He planned to make him king next. ➡️ 23 Rehoboam sent his sons to many towns in Judah and Benjamin. He gave them much food and gifts. He found many wives for them. ️