CHAPTER I. I. KINGS, xii., xiv., xv., xxii. II. KINGS, iii. II. CHRONICLES, xi.−xix. REHOBOAM TO JEHOSHAPHAT. Shemaiah's Warning-A State of War-Invasion of Shishak-Sack of Jerusalem-Rehoboam's Harem-Idolatry in Judah-Death of Rehoboam-Abijah Defeats Jeroboam-Death of Abijah-Asa against Idolatry-Ethiopian Invasion-Jewish Victory-Baasha Builds Ramah-Syrian Alliance-Hanani's Rebuke-Death of Asa -Jehoshaphat's Legal Reforms-Centralization-Court of Appeal at Jerusalem-Foreign Tributaries-League with Ahab-Edom a Vassal-Abortive Naval Enterprise-War with Moab. Now it came to pass, when Jeroboam and the men of Israel rebelled against Rehoboam at Shechem, and stoned Adoniram, who was over the levy, that Rehoboam hasted and mounted his chariot, and fled to Jerusalem. And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, and the tribe of Benjamin, to fight against the house of Israel, to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam son of Solomon. But the word of God came unto Shemaiah (Jah Heareth) the man of God, saying: Speak to Rehoboam son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people, saying, Thus saith Jehovah: Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel. Return every man to his house; for this thing is of me. And they hearkened unto the word of Jehovah, and turned back, according to the word of Jehovah. Nevertheless there was border war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days. And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah. And he strengthened the fortified cities, and put captains in them, and store of food, and oil, and wine. And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong. And Judah and Benjamin belonged to him. And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel betook themselves to him. And after them, out of all the tribes of Israel, such as set their hearts to seek Jehovah, the God of Israel, came to Jerusalem to sacrifice unto Jehovah, the God of their fathers. So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam son of Solomon strong, three years; for they walked three years in the way of David and Solomon. And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem. And he took away the treasures of the house of Jehovah, and the treasures of the king's house, and the golden arms which David took from Hadadezer king of Zobah and brought to Jerusalem; he even took away all. And he took away all the shields of gold which Solomon had made, and brought them to Egypt. And King Rehoboam made in their stead shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, who kept the door of the king's house. And it came to pass, that as oft as the king went into the house of Jehovah, the guard bare them, and brought them back into the guardchamber. And Rehoboam took him a wife, Mahalath, the daughter of Jerimoth son of David, and of Abihail daughter of Eliab son of Jesse; and she bare him three |