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But the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
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"Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,
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'Thus says the Lord: "You shall not go up or fight against your brethren! Let every man return to his house, for this thing is from Me." ' " Therefore they obeyed the words of the Lord, and turned back from attacking Jeroboam.
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So Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defense in Judah.
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And he built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
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Beth Zur, Sochoh, Adullam,
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Gath, Mareshah, Ziph,
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Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,
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Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and Benjamin, fortified cities.
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And he fortified the strongholds, and put captains in them, and stores of food, oil, and wine.
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Also in every city he put shields and spears, and made them very strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.