Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.

1 KINGS 12:18KJV
Know the Bible

1 Kings 12:18 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 12:18 mean?

1 Kings 12:18 describes how King Rehoboam sent Adoram, the official in charge of forced labor or tribute, to the people of Israel, but the people responded by stoning Adoram to death. Seeing this violent reaction, Rehoboam quickly escaped in his chariot and fled to Jerusalem for his own safety.

This verse takes place right after the northern tribes of Israel rejected Rehoboam’s rule because of his harsh policies. Rehoboam, the new king after Solomon, tried to assert control by sending Adoram, but the people’s anger boiled over, leading to Adoram’s death. This moment marks a decisive break between Rehoboam and the northern tribes, setting the stage for the kingdom’s division.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 12:18

  • The word for "tribute" is מַס (mas, H4522), which refers to forced labor or a tax. Adoram’s role as overseer of this tribute shows why his presence provoked such a strong reaction from the people, who resented this burden.
  • The verb "stoned" is רָגַם (ragam, H7275), meaning to kill by throwing stones. This was a communal act, showing the united anger of the people against royal authority.
  • The word for "flee" is נוּס (nus, H5127), meaning to escape or run away. The use of this word emphasizes Rehoboam’s fear and the seriousness of the threat to his life.

Why 1 Kings 12:18 matters

  • This verse makes clear just how deep the division was between Rehoboam and the northern tribes; the killing of a royal official was an open act of rebellion, not just a protest.
  • The detail that Rehoboam "made speed" to flee shows that even the king was not safe, highlighting the complete breakdown of his authority in the north.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain why the kingdom of Israel split in two, with Rehoboam ruling only Judah and Benjamin, and the rest forming a separate kingdom under Jeroboam.

Where else these words appear

“Adoram” Hebrew H151 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Samuel 20:24 And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder:

“stoned” Hebrew H7275 · used in 15 verses

  • Leviticus 20:2 Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.
  • Leviticus 24:23 And Moses spake to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • Joshua 7:25 And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.

“tribute” Hebrew H4522 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 49:15 And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.
  • Judges 1:33 Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabitants of Bethanath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath became tributaries unto them.
  • 1 Kings 9:21 Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day.

“Rehoboam” Hebrew H7346 · used in 41 verses

  • 1 Kings 11:43 And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Kings 14:30 And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.
  • 2 Chronicles 11:3 Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,