דברי הימים ב, פרק א׳, פסוק י״ד

The rapid expansion of King Solomon's military power, specifically his organization of cavalry and chariots, reflects the growing stability and greatness of his kingdom. The initial count of one thousand four hundred chariots marks only the beginning of this military buildup. At this early stage, the vehicles were primarily intended for the king's personal use and service. Over time, however, this force gradually expanded into a massive cavalry army [מלבי״ם].

To manage this growing military power, Solomon divided his forces between two primary locations. The vast majority were stationed in specially designated chariot cities, such as Megiddo, which were built to house the vehicles and large stables [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. These locations earned their name from the royal riders who were stationed there [רש״י]. Strategically, these cities were chosen because they were located in regions rich in livestock and perfectly suited for breeding and raising horses [רד״ק].

While the bulk of the military was spread across these regional outposts, a select portion of the chariots and cavalry remained stationed in Jerusalem. This unit functioned as a dedicated garrison, staying close to the king to protect both the royal capital and the monarch himself [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].