דברי הימים ב, פרק י״א, פסוק כ״ג

A transfer of royal power is often a delicate and dangerous time for a kingdom. Behind the scenes of this transition, a calculated political strategy unfolds to secure the throne and prevent future unrest. Commentators debate the mastermind behind this strategy, questioning whether the initiative came from the reigning king, Rehoboam, or from his designated heir, Abijah.

The primary approach among commentators is that Rehoboam orchestrated these events. Grasping the fragile political reality, he feared his other sons might rebel against Abijah after his death [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, מלבי״ם]. To prevent a civil uprising, Rehoboam employed a strategy of divide and conquer. He scattered his sons across the country [רש״י] to strengthen his hold on the kingdom [מצודת ציון], appointing each son as a governor over a separate fortified city within the territories of Judah and Benjamin.

To guarantee their loyalty and maintain stability, Rehoboam ensured his sons lacked nothing. He provided them with abundant food so they would remain satisfied and have no reason to burden the local citizens with demands for supplies [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. Additionally, Rehoboam actively sought out a large number of wives [מצודת ציון] specifically for his sons. This served multiple purposes: it kept the sons preoccupied with managing their own large families so they would not covet the crown [מלבי״ם], expanded the royal lineage [רד״ק], and forged valuable political alliances with the families of these new wives to further secure the monarchy [מצודת דוד]. Confirming that these wives were intended for the sons rather than the king himself, it is noted that Rehoboam already had eighteen wives and sixty concubines of his own [רד״ק].

In contrast to this perspective, another approach suggests that the designated heir, Abijah, was the driving force behind these actions. Recognizing his own power and status as the future king, Abijah took matters into his own hands to solidify his upcoming reign. Driven by ambition, he took control of the fortified cities, stockpiled food reserves, and sought out many wives for himself, fully aware that he was destined to wear the crown [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].