¹⁷ But as for the sons of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

¹¹ He also strengthened the fortresses and put officers in them and supplies of food, oil, and wine. ¹² He put shields and spears in every city and strengthened them greatly. So he held Judah and Benjamin.

¹³ Moreover, the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel also stood with him from all their districts.

Jeroboam Appoints False Priests

¹⁴ For ^(A)the Levites left their pasture lands and their property and went to Judah and Jerusalem, because ^(B)Jeroboam and his sons had excluded them from serving as priests to the Lord. ^15 (C)He set up priests of his own for the high places, for the satyrs and the calves which he had made. ^16 (D)Those from all the tribes of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the Lord God of Israel ^[a]followed them to Jerusalem, to sacrifice to the Lord God of their fathers. ^17 (E)They strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam the son of Solomon for three years, for they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years.

⁹ And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon ^(A)who resided with them, for many defected to him from Israel when they saw that the Lord his God was with him.