Now it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom and had strengthened himself, that he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel along with him.

He also removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah, and the kingdom was quiet under him.

Therefore he said to Judah, "Let us build these cities and make walls around [them,] and towers, gates, and bars, [while] the land [is] yet before us, because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought [Him,] and He has given us rest on every side." So they built and prospered.

Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel.

And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken.

In the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, [and made a] covenant with the captains of hundreds: Azariah the son of Jeroham, Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, Azariah the son of Obed, Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri.

Also the Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah. His fame spread as far as the entrance of Egypt, for he became exceedingly strong.

You also saw the damage to the city of David, That it was great; And you gathered together the waters of the lower pool.

You numbered the houses of Jerusalem, And the houses you broke down To fortify the wall.

Then Joash the king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth Shemesh; and he brought him to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate -- four hundred cubits.

Then the city wall was broken through, and all the men of war [fled] at night by way of the gate between two walls, which was by the king's garden, even though the Chaldeans [were] still encamped all around against the city. And [the king] went by way of the plain.

So it was, when Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, that they fled and went out of the city by night, by way of the king's garden, by the gate between the two walls. And he went out by way of the plain.

And all the men of Shechem gathered together, all of Beth Millo, and they went and made Abimelech king beside the terebinth tree at the pillar that [was] in Shechem.

Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. And David built all around from the Millo and inward.

But Pharaoh's daughter came up from the City of David to her house which [Solomon] had built for her. Then he built the Millo.

And this [is] what caused him to rebel against the king: Solomon had built the Millo [and] repaired the damages to the City of David his father.

And his servants arose and formed a conspiracy, and killed Joash in the house of the Millo, which goes down to Silla.

Then Uzziah prepared for them, for the entire army, shields, spears, helmets, body armor, bows, and slings [to cast] stones.

And he made devices in Jerusalem, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and large stones. So his fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong.