מלכים א, פרק י״ד, פסוק א׳

The punishment for Jeroboam's sins finally begins to take shape, striking directly at the heart of his family. Because the king ignored the events he experienced and refused to repent, a harsh judgment is sealed against him. He is destined to lose the best and most worthy person to come from his family line [חומת אנך].

This decree is delivered specifically through the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite, the very same prophet who previously anointed Jeroboam as king. The execution of this punishment is designed to begin while the king is still alive to witness it [מלבי״ם].

The first blow arrives when Abijah, who is likely the king's firstborn son, falls deeply ill [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The sickness and eventual death of this son serve as a particularly severe blow for the family. Abijah is recognized as the most perfect and respected individual within Jeroboam's entire household, making his loss an especially painful tragedy [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל].