For three years Rehoboam tried to profit by his sad experience at the beginning of his reign; and in this effort he was prospered. He "built cities for defense in Judah," and "fortified the strongholds, and put captains in them, 93 and store of victual, and of oil and wine." He was careful to make these fortified cities "exceeding strong." 2 Chronicles 11:5, 11, 12. But the secret of Judah's prosperity during the first years of Rehoboam's reign lay not in these measures. It was their recognition of God as the Supreme Ruler that placed the tribes of Judah and Benjamin on vantage ground. To their number were added many God-fearing men from the northern tribes. "Out of all the tribes of Israel," the record reads, "such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the Lord God of their fathers. So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon." Verses 16, 17.

I tre år søgte Rehabeam at tage ved lære af den sørgelige erfaring, han havde ved begyndelsen af sin kongegerning, og hans bestræbelser lykkedes. "Han befæstede flere byer i Juda og gjorde fæstningerne stærke, indsatte befalingsmænd i dem og forsynede dem med forråd af levnedsmidler, olie og vin." Han bestræbte sig på at gøre disse befæstede byer "meget stærke". 2Krøn 11,5. og 11-12. Hemmeligheden ved Judas fremgang i begyndelsen af Rehabeams regering skulle dog ikke søges i disse foranstaltninger. De gode forhold i Judas og Benjamins stamme skyldtes, at de anerkendte Gud som deres øverste hersker. Desuden sluttede mange gudfrygtige mænd fra nordriget sig til dem. "Fra alle Israels stammer" kom der mænd, "hvis hjerte var vendt til at søge Herren, Israels Gud, til Jerusalem for at ofre til Herren, deres fædres Gud; og de styrkede Judas rige og hævdede Rehabeams, Salomos søns, magt i et tidsrum af tre år. Thi i tre år fulgte han Davids og Salomos veje." 2Kong 11,16-17.