Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Chronicles 11:14

"For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons cast them off, that they should not execute the priest`s office unto Jehovah;" — 2 Chronicles 11:14 (ASV)

Jeroboam probably confiscated the Levitical lands for the benefit of this new priesthood. Under these circumstances, the priests and Levites emigrated in large numbers to the southern kingdom, an act that was followed by a general emigration of the more pious Israelites (2 Chronicles 11:16).