2 Chronicles 11 describes the reign of King Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, after the kingdom of Israel split into two: the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Rehoboam, determined to maintain his rule over Judah, gathered an army of 180,000 men to fight against Israel. However, God sent the prophet Shemaiah to instruct him not to go to war, as this division was part of God's plan.
Rehoboam fortified various cities in Judah to protect his kingdom from potential attacks. He strengthened Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, Beth Zur, Soco, Adullam, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, ensuring their defenses were well-established.
Rehoboam took eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and he had twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters. He appointed his son Abijah as the chief ruler among his brothers, intending for him to succeed him as king.