1 Kings 12:18
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. 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.
This verse belongs to the rending of the kingdom after Rehoboam's irreparable mistake at Shechem, where pride of position and authority led him and his chosen counselors to refuse the people's request for decided reforms in government. Instead of relief, he announced that the evils introduced under Solomon's oppressive reign would continue and increase. The Lord did not allow Rehoboam to carry out his proposed policy, for many thousands among the tribes, aroused by Solomon's oppression, rebelled against the house of David in harmony with the prophet's prediction. The twelve tribes were thus divided, with Judah and Benjamin remaining under Rehoboam and the ten northern tribes passing under Jeroboam.
When Rehoboam saw the tribes withdrawing allegiance, he sent Adoram, the influential official over the tribute, as an ambassador of peace to conciliate the ten tribes and win them back. But all Israel stoned Adoram with stones so that he died, showing that the revolt had become violent. That killing bore witness to the people's feeling against Rehoboam and demonstrated the strength of their opposition to his rule. Startled by this evidence of the revolt, Rehoboam hurried to get into his chariot and fled to Jerusalem.