1 Kings 12:18 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Rehoboam sends his taskmaster Adoram, whom the people stone to death, and the king himself flees to Jerusalem.
What Does 1 Kings 12:18 Mean?
Rehoboam misreads the moment badly. He sends Adoram, the very officer over forced labor, as if more pressure could mend the breach. The people stone him to death, and the king must scramble into his chariot and race for the safety of Jerusalem. The man who threatened scorpions now flees for his life.
The scene is a portrait of pride colliding with reality. To answer a people's wound by sending the symbol of their suffering only deepens the rupture. Scripture shows how quickly the proud are humbled when they refuse to listen. The Lord is not mocked; what is sown is reaped. Rehoboam's flight is the bitter harvest of a single hard answer, and it teaches that wisdom rejected exacts a heavy and sudden price.
1 Kings 12:18 in the Original Language
mas (מַס), 'tribute' -- forced labor or conscripted service; Adoram oversaw the very burden the people had begged to be eased.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 12:18
What does 1 Kings 12:18 mean?
Rehoboam sends his taskmaster Adoram, whom the people stone to death, and the king himself flees to Jerusalem.