Adoniram

Morrish Bible Dictionary

Chief over the tribute in the days of Solomon.  1 Kings 4:6;  1 Kings 5:14 . In David's time ADORAM was over the tribute,  2 Samuel 20:24 , and in the days of Rehoboam also a person of this name was over the tribute,  1 Kings 12:18 , which Gesenius and others take to be a contracted form of Adoniram, and to refer to the same person. Apparently the Adoram mentioned in  1 Kings 12:18 is called Hadoram in   2 Chronicles 10:18 . All Israel stoned him to death at the revolt of the ten tribes. If Adoniram held office from David to Rehoboam it would embrace a long period; still it may be the same throughout, or father and son.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Adoni'ram. (Lord Of Heights).  1 Kings 4:6. By an unusual contraction, Adoram ,  2 Samuel 20:24;  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. This last monarch sent him to collect the tribute from the rebellious Israelites, by whom he was stoned to death, (B.C. 1014-973).

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A receiver of tributes under David and Solomon, and director of the thirty thousand men sent to Lebanon to cut timber,  1 Kings 5:14 . The same person is also called Adoram, by contraction,  2 Samuel 20:21   1 Kings 12:8; and also Hadoram,  2 Chronicles 10:18 . He was stoned to death by the revolted ten tribes, having been sent to them by Rehoboam, either to induce them to return, or to test by gathering the taxes.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

Son of Abda; over the tribute for about 47 years under David, Solomon, and Rehoboam; also over Solomon's levy of 30,000 sent by ten thousands monthly to cut timber in Lebanon ( 1 Kings 4:6). Contracted into ADORAM ( 2 Samuel 20:24) and HADORAM. Stoned by the people of Israel when sent by Rehoboam to collect the tribute which had been their chief ground of complaint against the king ( 1 Kings 12:18;  2 Chronicles 10:18).

Holman Bible Dictionary

 1 Kings 4:6 1 Kings 5:14 1 Kings 12:18 2 Chronicles 10:18

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 1 Kings 12:18 1 Kings 4:6 5:14

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Adoniram ( Ăd'O-N Î'Ram ). See Adoram.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ad - ō - nı̄´ram ( אדניום , 'ădhōnı̄rām , "my lord is exalted"): An official of Solomon ( 1 Kings 4:6;  1 Kings 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 ( 2 Samuel 20:24;  1 Kings 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 ( 2 Chronicles 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 ( Deuteronomy 20:11 ); that this law was actually extended to the Canaanites ( Joshua 16:10;  Joshua 17:13;  Judges 1:28 ); that David, in his preparations for the temple, organized and handed over to Solomon a service of forced labor ( 1 Chronicles 22:2 ,  1 Chronicles 22:15 , etc.); that under Solomon this service was elaborately maintained ( 1 Kings 5:13;  1 Kings 9:15;  2 Chronicles 8:7 ). 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 (1 Ki 12; 2 Ch 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.

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Adoni´ram (lord of height, that is, high lord)  1 Kings 4:6. This name is exhibited in the contracted form of Adoram in  2 Samuel 20:24;  1 Kings 12:18; and of Hadoram in  2 Chronicles 10:18.

Adoniram, 1

Adoniram or Hadoram, son of Toi, king of Hamath, who was sent by his father to congratulate David on his victory over their common enemy Hadarezer, king of Syria ( 1 Chronicles 18:10). This prince is called Joram in  2 Samuel 8:10.

Adoniram, 2

A person of this name is mentioned as receiver-general of the imposts in the reigns of David, Solomon, and Rehoboam. Only one incident is recorded in connection with this person when the ten tribes seceded from the house of David, and made Jeroboam king, Rehoboam sent Adoniram among them, for the purpose, we may presume, of collecting the usual imposts, which had become very heavy. Perhaps he had been rigid in his invidious office under Solomon: at all events the collector of the imposts which had occasioned the revolt was not the person whose presence was the most likely to soothe the exasperated passions of the people. They rose upon him, and stoned him till he died ( 1 Kings 12:18).