He built cities in the hill country of Judah and fortresses and towers in the forests.

Then they came very close to him and said, “We will build sheep folds here for our flocks and cities for our families, ¹ 

The enemy’s cities have been reduced to permanent ruins; ¹  you destroyed their cities; ²  all memory of the enemies has perished. ³ 

For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your children will conquer ¹  nations and will resettle desolate cities.

He built royal cities ¹  and owned a large number of sheep and cattle, for God gave him a huge amount of possessions.

Now, assign me this hill country which the Lord promised me at that time! No doubt you heard at that time that the Anakites live there in large, fortified cities. ¹  But, assuming the Lord is with me, I will conquer ²  them, as the Lord promised.”

I gave you a land in ¹  which you had not worked hard; you took up residence in cities you did not build and you are eating the produce of ²  vineyards and olive groves you did not plant.’