Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Chronicles 11:5

"And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah." — 2 Chronicles 11:5 (ASV)

REHOBOAM STRENGTHENS THE DEFENCES OF HIS KINGDOM (2 Chronicles 11:5–12).

This section is peculiar to the chronicler.

(5) Dwelt in Jerusalem.—As the capital.

Cities for defence.—(‘Arîm l’mâçôr = ‘arê mâçôr; 2 Chronicles 8:5), “embattled cities;” LXX., πόλεις τειχήρεις.

In Judah.—Not the territory of the tribe, but the kingdom is intended, for some of the fortresses were in Benjamin (2 Chronicles 11:10).