Adoniram
The name "Adoniram" is derived from the Hebrew roots "Adon" meaning "lord" or "master" and "ram" meaning "exalted" or "high." Adoniram was a high-ranking official in King David's administration, specifically tasked with overseeing the labor force. His role indicates the organized and structured nature of David's kingdom, reflecting a period of consolidation and expansion. The mention of Adoniram highlights the importance of leadership and management in maintaining the kingdom's infrastructure and projects, which were essential for the prosperity and stability of Israel.

was in charge of the forced labor
This phrase indicates a significant aspect of the administrative structure in ancient Israel. The "forced labor" refers to the corvée system, a form of conscripted labor used for public works. This system was common in ancient Near Eastern societies and was crucial for building projects such as fortifications, roads, and temples. The use of forced labor underscores the demands placed on the population to support the kingdom's growth and development. It also reflects the challenges of balancing governance with the well-being of the people, a theme that resonates with the biblical call for just and compassionate leadership.

Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud
Jehoshaphat, meaning "Yahweh has judged," was another key official in David's administration. His role as "recorder" or "chronicler" was vital for maintaining the historical and legal records of the kingdom. The mention of his lineage, "son of Ahilud," emphasizes the importance of family heritage and continuity in leadership roles. Jehoshaphat's position highlights the value of preserving history and ensuring that the deeds and decisions of the kingdom are documented for future generations. This aligns with the biblical emphasis on remembering God's faithfulness and the lessons of the past.

was the recorder
The role of the "recorder" was crucial in the administration of the kingdom. This position involved keeping official records, managing correspondence, and possibly advising the king on matters of state. The recorder ensured that the kingdom's affairs were conducted with order and accountability. This role reflects the biblical principle of stewardship, where leaders are called to manage resources and responsibilities with integrity and wisdom. The presence of a recorder in David's administration underscores the importance of transparency and diligence in governance, serving as a model for leadership that honors God and serves the people faithfully.

(24) Adoram was over the tribute.--The same office was held by Adoniram in Solomon's reign (1Kings 4:6; 1Kings 5:14), and by Adoram at the beginning of the reign of his successor (1Kings 12:18). ll those may have been the same person, or at least of the same family. "The tribute" should rather be the levy, the forced labour so largely employed by Solomon. It is remarkable that there is no trace of such an office in 2Samuel 8:16-18, nor in the parallel (1Chronicles 18:14-17). It was a feature of Oriental despotism only introduced towards the close of David's reign, and carried to much greater length under Solomon.

Verse 24. - Adoram was over the tribute. This was a new officer, and a new thing. For the Hebrew word mas does not mean "tribute," but "forced labour." This was one of the most oppressive exactions of old time, and it continued to be practised in Europe throughout the Middle Ages until it was abolished at the end of the eighteenth century by the French Revolution, except in Russia, where the serfs were freed from it by the late emperor Alexander II. Nevertheless, it was probably made almost necessary at first by the absence of money. As there was no money for the payment of taxes, the dues of the king or lord could only be rendered by personal service. Yet even so it was exceedingly liable to be abused, and the people might be taken from their own homes and fields just when their presence there was most needed. One most painful result was that the women had to endure, upon the farm and among the cattle, a drudgery to which they were unsuited. We gather from this passage that it was David who began this practice in Israel, exacting probably only from the descendants of the Canaanites (who, nevertheless, formed a considerable portion of the inhabitants of Palestine) forced labour employed in preparing for the building of the temple, and in the fortifications of his fenced cities. Under Solomon it seems to have been extended to other classes (1 Kings 5:13, 14; but see 1 Kings 9:20-22), and reduced to a system, which pressed so heavily upon the people that it was the principal cause of the revolt of the ten tribes from Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:4). Unless the Israelites had themselves suffered severely from this exaction, they would not have been driven into rebellion by sympathy with the remains of the native races. Subsequently we find Jeremiah accusing Jehoiakim of employing forced labour (Jeremiah 22:13), but the severity with which he condemned it suggests that it had then ceased to be customary. Adoram. His appointment to this office was probably at a late period in David's reign, as he continued to hold the office under Solomon (1 Kings 4:6; 1 Kings 5:14, where he is called Adoniram), and even down to the beginning of Rehoboam's reign (1 Kings 12:18). We there read that he paid the penalty of his hateful office with his life. In 2 Chronicles 10:18 he is called Hadoram.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Adoniram
וַאֲדֹרָ֖ם (wa·’ă·ḏō·rām)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 151: Adoram -- an Israelite leader

was in charge of
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

forced labor;
הַמַּ֑ס (ham·mas)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4522: Body of forced laborers, forced service, taskworkers, taskwork, serfdom

Jehoshaphat
וִיהוֹשָׁפָ֥ט (wî·hō·wō·šā·p̄āṭ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3092: Jehoshaphat -- 'the LORD has judged', the name of a number of Israelites

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Ahilud
אֲחִיל֖וּד (’ă·ḥî·lūḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 286: Ahilud -- 'child's brother', two Israelites

was the recorder;
הַמַּזְכִּֽיר׃ (ham·maz·kîr)
Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2142: To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male


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OT History: 2 Samuel 20:24 And Adoram was over the men subject (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)