The great breaking point of the united kingdom occurs when the nation realizes the king has no intention of making peace, but rather plans to increase their burdens. It becomes completely clear to the people that the king is ignoring their pleas [מנחת שי, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מצודת דוד]. This realization sparks an open rebellion and a complete break from the royal family.
In response to the king's dismissal, the people react with sharp defiance, questioning what share or inheritance they have with David's family. This declaration marks a fundamental disconnect from the royal line [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The nation argues that since they received no special land or privilege because of King David, there is absolutely no reason they should live as servants to his descendants [מצודת דוד].
The crowd then issues a clear call to rebellion, urging everyone to return to their tents. This echoes the exact rallying cry used years earlier by Sheba son of Bichri when he rebelled against King David himself [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. In practical terms, this is a firm refusal to accept Rehoboam as their king. Instead of leaving their homes to follow the new monarch, the people are instructed to simply go back to their own lives [רש"י, מצודת דוד].
They further tell Rehoboam to look after his own house. The primary approach among commentators is that this represents a total rejection of his authority, demanding that he step down from national leadership, focus solely on his own family and tribe, and live as an ordinary citizen [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. However, another viewpoint expands this separation into the religious realm. According to this approach, the people are actively rejecting the Temple in Jerusalem. They declare that they are giving up their right to make the holiday pilgrimages and offer sacrifices, leaving the Temple exclusively to David's family. They are completely turning their backs on both the king and his place of worship [רש"י].
The confrontation concludes with the people returning to their homes. This serves as the final, practical act of the tribes breaking away from national unity and freeing themselves from the central government in Judah [ביאור שטיינזלץ].