1
When Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, 180,000 chosen warriors, to fight against Israel, to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam.
2
But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God:
3
"Say to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin,
4
'Thus says the LORD, You shall not go up or fight against your relatives. Return every man to his home, for this thing is from me.'" So they listened to the word of the LORD and returned and did not go against Jeroboam.
5
Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and he built cities for defense in Judah.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.