Lexical Summary Adoram: Adoram Original Word: אֲדֹרָם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Adoram Contracted for 'Adoniyram; Adoram (or Adoniram), an Israelite -- Adoram. see HEBREW 'Adoniyram NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origincontr. for Adoniram Definition an Isr. leader NASB Translation Adoram (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֲדֹרָם (contracted or corrupt, compare foregoing) same official, under David 2 Samuel 20:24, & Rehoboam 1 Kings 12:18 (= הֲדֹרָם2Chronicles 10:18). Topical Lexicon Identity and Name Variations Adoram (Hebrew אֲדֹרָם) appears twice in the Hebrew Scriptures. His name also surfaces with the fuller spelling “Adoniram” (אֲדֹנִירָם, Strong’s 141), and the narrative contexts show the two forms refer to the same governmental officer who served successive kings of Israel’s united monarchy—David, Solomon, and Rehoboam. The shortened form “Adoram” is preserved in 2 Samuel 20:24 and 1 Kings 12:18. Placement within the Royal Administration Adoram held the portfolio “over the forced labor” (Hebrew mas), a ministry comparable to a secretary of public works and revenue conscription. The office managed state building projects, levy of corvée labor, and perhaps tax collection. By David’s reign this structure was already sufficiently developed to be listed among senior officials alongside Joab (army), Jehoshaphat (recorder), Zadok and Abiathar (priests), and Benaiah (Kerethites and Pelethites) in 2 Samuel 20:23-26. Service under David The turbulence following Absalom’s revolt had left the kingdom recovering from civil strife. Listing Adoram at that moment (2 Samuel 20:24) underscores David’s swift re-establishment of orderly governance. By placing trusted men over the corvée, David secured manpower for fortifications, roads, and the temple preparations later executed by Solomon (1 Chronicles 22:2). Adoram’s inclusion testifies to David’s administrative breadth: spiritual leadership from priests and Levites, military strength, and an organized civil workforce for national projects. Continuation under Solomon (Adoniram) 1 Kings 4:6 and 5:14 (Hebrew 5:28) explicitly name “Adoniram son of Abda” as Solomon’s official over the levy, matching the function attributed to Adoram. Solomon greatly expanded the corvée system, sending “thirty thousand men to Lebanon” in monthly rotations for cedar and cypress (1 Kings 5:13-18). This demonstrates the importance—and growing burden—of the department Adoram supervised. Through it, the Lord enabled the building of the Temple that became the earthly focal point of His visible glory (1 Kings 8:10-11). Mission to the Northern Tribes and Martyr-Like Death When Rehoboam came to Shechem to be crowned, popular resentment over the heavy yoke of forced labor surfaced. In an attempt to reassert royal authority, Rehoboam dispatched the seasoned administrator: “Then King Rehoboam sent out Adoram, who was in charge of the forced labor, but all Israel stoned him to death” (1 Kings 12:18). Adoram’s death marks the flashpoint of the kingdom’s rupture. His mission intended to negotiate labor grievances, but his very office symbolized the policies the northern tribes rejected. The stoning fulfilled the prophetic word spoken through Ahijah (1 Kings 11:29-31) and confirmed that the division was ordained by God (1 Kings 12:15). Historical Significance 1. Indicator of centralized monarchy: The existence of a nationwide labor department underlines how Israel transitioned from tribal confederation to a kingdom with standing bureaucracy. Ministry Lessons • Faithful service can span generations; Adoram’s long tenure shows continuity is valuable in God’s work. Key References 2 Samuel 20:24; 1 Kings 4:6; 1 Kings 5:14; 1 Kings 12:18 Forms and Transliterations אֲדֹרָם֙ אדרם וַאֲדֹרָ֖ם ואדרם ’ă·ḏō·rām ’ăḏōrām adoRam vaadoRam wa’ăḏōrām wa·’ă·ḏō·rāmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 20:24 HEB: וַאֲדֹרָ֖ם עַל־ הַמַּ֑ס NAS: and Adoram was over the forced labor, KJV: And Adoram [was] over the tribute: INT: and Adoram was over the forced 1 Kings 12:18 2 Occurrences |
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