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Biblereading: 2
Chronicles 11:1-12
1 And
when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of
Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men,
which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might
bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam. 2 But the word
of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 3 Speak
unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all
Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, 4 Thus saith
the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren:
return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And
they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going
against Jeroboam. 5 And Rehoboam dwelt in
Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah. 6 He
built even Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa, 7 And
Bethzur, and Shoco, and Adullam, 8 And Gath, and
Mareshah, and Ziph, 9 And Adoraim, and Lachish, and
Azekah, 10 And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron,
which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities. 11
And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them,
and store of victual, and of oil and wine. 12 And
in every several city he put shields and spears, and made
them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
A few good words
might have prevented the rebellion of Rehoboam's subjects; but all
the force of his kingdom cannot bring them back.
And it is in vain to contend with the purpose of God, when it is
made known to us. Even those who are destitute of true faith, will
at times pay some regard to the word of God, and be kept by it
from wrong actions, to which they are prone by nature.
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