1 Kings 12:18

Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram The same man who is called Adoniram in ch. 1 Kings 4:6. He presided over the forced-labour service, and it was an additional sign of the infatuation of Rehoboam, that a person so likely to be obnoxious to the people should be sent as the king's representative. Josephus tells us that Rehoboam's design was to appease and mollify the irritation caused by his answer. He could hardly have found worse means for his end.

who was over the tribute Read, with R.V. -over the levy." See above on 1 Kings 4:6.

and all Israel stoned him The LXX. omits -all Israel."

Therefore king Rehoboam made speed The marginal rendering of A.V. points out the literal meaning of the verb in this clause -he strengthened himself." The idea is -he made use of every effort," -exerted himself much," seeing that there was danger threatening him as well as his messenger. It appears from this verse, that little time had elapsed between the answer of Rehoboam and the sending of Adoram to appease the irritated leaders. All this was done and Adoram killed before Rehoboam left Shechem. The haughty stern answer and the sudden change to a policy of a more lenient nature are alike marks of the weak character of the new king.