Dictionaries :: Adoniram

Adoniram:

(1Ki 12:18), the son of Abda, was "over the tribute," i.e., the levy or forced labour. He was stoned to death by the people of Israel (1Ki 4:6; 5:14)

Adoniram:

my Lord is most high; Lord of might and elevation

Adoniram:

ad-o-ni'-ram ('adhoniram, "my lord is exalted"): An official of Solomon (1Ki 4:6; 5:14). Near the close of the reign of David, and at the opening of the reign of Rehoboam, the same office was held by Adoram (2Sa 20:24; 1Ki 12:18).

The name Adoram seems to be a contraction of Adoniram, and doubtless the same person held the office in all the three reigns. The name also appears as Hadoram (2Ch 10:18). In the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) the office is variantly described as "over the tribute," which is misleading, and "over the levy," which is correct, though obscure. In the American Standard Revised Version it is uniformly "over the men subject to taskwork." Adoniram was at the head of the department of forced labor for the government. The record is to the effect that peoples conquered by Israel, except the Canaanites, were to be spared, subject to the obligation to forced labor on the public works (De 20:11); that this law was actually extended to the Canaanites (Jos 16:10; 17:13; Jud 1:28 ff); that David, in his preparations for the temple, organized and handed over to Solomon a service of forced labor (1Ch 22:2,15, etc.); that under Solomon this service was elaborately maintained (1Ki 5:13 ff; 9:15 ff; 2Ch 8:7 ff).

It was not for the temple only, but for all Solomon's numerous building enterprises. In theory men of Israelite blood were free from this burden, but practically they found it a burden and a grievance. At the accession of Rehoboam they protested against it (1Ki 12; 2Ch 10). Nothing in the account is more indicative of Rehoboam's utter lack of good judgment than his sending his veteran superintendent of the forced labor department to confer with the people. The murder of Adoniram, and the ignominious flight of Rehoboam, were natural consequences.

Written by Willis J. Beecher

Adoniram: A Tax Gatherer

Called also ADORAM

2Sa 20:24; 1Ki 4:6; 5:14; 12:18

Adoniram:

(lord of heights) (1 Kings 4:6) by an unusual contraction ADORAM, 2 Samuel 20:24 and 1 Kings 12:18. Also HADORAM (2 Chronicles 10:18) chief receiver of the tribute during the reigns of David (2 Samuel 20:24). Solomon (1 Kings 4:6) and Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:18). SEE [HADORAM, 3.]. This last monarch sent him to collect the tribute from the rebellious Israelites, by whom he was stoned to death. (B.C. 1014‐973)