He actedwiselyand distributedsomeof his sonsthroughallthe territoriesof Judahand Benjaminto allthe fortifiedcities,and he gavethem foodin abundance.And he soughtmanywives[for them].
but to the sonsof his concubines,Abrahamgavegiftswhile he was stillliving,and sentthem awayfrom his sonIsaaceastward,to the landof the east.
RehoboamappointedAbijahthe sonof Maacahas headand leaderamong his brothers,for he [intended] to makehim king.
Rehoboamlivedin Jerusalemand builtcitiesfor defensein Judah.
When the kingdomof Rehoboamwas establishedand strong,he and allIsraelwith him forsookthe lawof the LORD.
Their fathergavethem manygiftsof silver,goldand preciousthings,with fortifiedcitiesin Judah,but he gavethe kingdomto Jehorambecausehe was the firstborn.
"And his masterpraisedthe unrighteousmanagerbecausehe had actedshrewdly;for the sonsof thisageare more shrewdin relationto their ownkindthanthe sonsof light.
