2 Chronicles 11:5

5 Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and built cities for defense in Judah.

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 Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,

4 Thus says Yahweh, 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 Yahweh, and returned from going against Jeroboam.

5 Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and built cities for defense in Judah.

6 He built Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,

7 Beth-zur, and Soco, and Adullam,