2 Chronicles 11:5

5 Rechav`am lived in Yerushalayim, and built cities for defense in Yehudah.

2 Chronicles 11:5 Meaning and Commentary

2 Chronicles 11:5

And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem
The metropolis of Judah, and the capital city of his kingdom:

and built cities for defence in Judah;
that is, rebuilt, enlarged, and fortified them; for otherwise they were built before, though neglected before the revolt of the ten tribes; but now it became necessary to make them more capacious and strong, to protect his people, and defend himself against Israel; for though he was forbid to act offensively, and therefore contented himself to abide in Jerusalem, and not go forth to war; yet he might lawfully put himself into a condition of defence.

2 Chronicles 11:5 In-Context

3 Speak to Rechav`am the son of Shlomo, king of Yehudah, and to all Yisra'el in Yehudah and Binyamin, saying,

4 Thus says the LORD, You shall not go up, nor fight against your brothers: return every man to his house; for this thing is of me. So they listened to the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Yarov`am.

5 Rechav`am lived in Yerushalayim, and built cities for defense in Yehudah.

6 He built Beit-Lechem, and `Etam, and Tekoa,

7 Beit-Tzur, and Sokho, and `Adullam,