I find it odd that everyone believes that Whidmore's intention was to destroy the island. Nothing that happened in any episode gave that impression, that's only what Ben said.

In one episode the 2 members from the science team stop the explosion. And the commando guys were only there to capture Ben alive. I think its b/c Whidmore knows the rules of the island. That's why Ben didn't kill Whidmore in his room in the flash forward.

So the real question is why is Whidmore...