The writer took up the chronological narrative once more at 1 Kings 12:18. It appears that Rehoboam was not willing to take no for an answer,
that is, he did not consider the words spoken to him at the meeting to be decisive. Instead, he sent the man who was in charge of the forced labour, Adoram, to the rebels. We do not know exactly what his instructions were. Some commentators believe that he was sent as a tax collector, but that does not seem to match his description. It seems more likely that he was sent, probably with some underlings, to get the people back to work.
There is no doubt about the response of Jeroboam and his followers. They gathered stones and stoned the task master to death. One result of the stoning was that Rehoboam’s eyes were opened to the real situation. So he fled for his life back to his capital, Jerusalem. Another result of this, we are told, is the rebellion of Israel against the Davidic dynasty continued to the time of the writing of this portion of 1 Kings.
18 Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was taskmaster over the forced labor, and all Israel stoned him to death with stones. And King Rehoboam hurried to mount his chariot to flee to Jerusalem.