21. When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he called together 180,000 of the best soldiers from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. He intended to go to war and restore his control over the northern tribes of Israel.
22. But God told the prophet Shemaiah
23. to give this message to Rehoboam and to all the people of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin:
24. “Do not attack your own brothers, the people of Israel. Go home, all of you. What has happened is my will.” They all obeyed the Lord's command and went back home.
25. King Jeroboam of Israel fortified the town of Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there for a while. Then he left and fortified the town of Penuel.