Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Chronicles 11:12

"And in every city [he put] shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong. And Judah and Benjamin belonged to him." — 2 Chronicles 11:12 (ASV)

Shields. —The “targets” of 2 Chronicles 9:15.

Made them exceedingly strong. — Strengthened them (the same word as “fortified” in 2 Chronicles 11:11) very abundantly (l’harbçh m e ôd). A form of words only used by the Chronicler. (See 2 Chronicles 16:8; and compare Nehemiah 6:18.)

Having Judah and Benjamin on his side. — Literally, and he had (or, there fell to him) Judah and Benjamin. A definition of Rehoboam’s territory. (Compare 2 Chronicles 10:17.)