דברי הימים ב, פרק י״א, פסוק כ״ב

Decisions about royal inheritance and internal court politics led King Rehoboam to make a calculated strategic move to ensure the throne would pass to his favored son. The primary approach among commentators is that Rehoboam officially granted Abijah the rights of the firstborn during his own lifetime, elevating him to the position of chief minister and senior ruler over all his brothers. This decision disrupted the natural order of succession, as Abijah was not the eldest son. Rehoboam deliberately transferred the royal rights away from the sons of his wife Abihail, choosing instead to prepare the ground for Abijah, the son of his most beloved wife, Maacah, to inherit the crown [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Fully aware of his father's goal to make him king, Abijah took active steps to establish his status and strengthen his power against his brothers. He strategically placed his own men as guards in the fortified cities throughout Judah and Benjamin, providing them with abundant food. This political and military maneuver was designed to guarantee their loyalty and submission, thereby fortifying his future rule and preventing any potential opposition from the rest of the king's sons [רלב״ג].