Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.

2 CHRONICLES 10:18KJV
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2 Chronicles 10:18 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 10:18 mean?

2 Chronicles 10:18 describes how King Rehoboam sent Hadoram, the official in charge of forced labor or tribute, to the Israelites, but the people killed Hadoram by stoning him. After this violent act, Rehoboam quickly escaped in his chariot and fled to Jerusalem for safety.

This verse takes place right after the northern tribes of Israel rejected Rehoboam’s rule because of his harsh policies. The people’s attack on Hadoram, who represented royal authority and taxation, shows their complete rejection of Rehoboam’s leadership. The king’s urgent flight highlights how serious the rebellion was and marks the final break between the northern tribes and the house of David.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 10:18

  • חֲדֹרָם (Hadoram, ḥăḏōrām): This is the name of the official sent by Rehoboam. Hadoram was in charge of the "tribute," meaning forced labor or taxes, making him a symbol of the king’s authority and unpopular policies.
  • מַס (mas, H4522): This word means "tribute" or "forced labor." The use of this term shows that the people’s anger was directed at the system of heavy burdens imposed by the king, not just at one person.
  • רָגַם (ragam, H7275): This verb means "to stone." The act of stoning Hadoram was a public, collective rejection of royal oppression, not just a personal attack.
  • בָּרַח (barach, H5127): This verb means "to flee." Rehoboam’s quick escape underlines the danger he faced and the seriousness of the revolt.

Why 2 Chronicles 10:18 matters

  • This verse makes clear that the split between Rehoboam and the northern tribes was not just political but involved real violence and deep anger over oppression.
  • The killing of Hadoram, the tribute official, shows that the people’s rebellion was against the king’s policies, especially forced labor and heavy taxation.
  • The urgency of Rehoboam’s flight to Jerusalem sets the stage for the permanent division of Israel into two kingdoms, a turning point in Israel’s history.

Where else these words appear

“Hadoram” Hebrew H1913 · used in 4 verses

  • Genesis 10:27 And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,
  • 1 Chronicles 1:21 Hadoram also, and Uzal, and Diklah,
  • 1 Chronicles 18:10 He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to enquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him;(for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.

“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 14:29 Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
  • 2 Chronicles 11:3 Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,