Rehoboam’s Reign

⁵ Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem; he built up these fortified cities throughout Judah: ⁶ Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, ⁷ Beth Zur, Soco, Adullam, ⁸ Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, ⁹ Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, ¹⁰ Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron. These were the fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin. ¹¹ He fortified these cities and placed officers in them, as well as storehouses of food, olive oil, and wine. ¹² In each city there were shields and spears; he strongly fortified them.^[a] Judah and Benjamin belonged to him.