Who is Adoram?
Rashi: It is Adoniram 1 [whom Shlomo appointed over the tax (4:6). It is the same Adoram that David appointed over the tax (Shmuel II, 20:24) (Radak 4:6).
Mahari Kara: At the time of greatness, in the days of Shlomo, he was called Adoniram.
Why did he send Adoram?
Radak: It was to get Yisrael to accept Rechav'am as king.
Malbim, 'Rashi' (Divrei ha'Yamim II, 10:18): It was to collect the tax, to show that he wants to collect taxes with a strong hand, like before. 1
Malbim: This was foolish. The people already hated Adoram, for he was Shlomo's tax collector. Until now, there was still hope that Yisrael would consent to Rechav'am; now, there was no hope.
If Yisrael already returned to their tents, how did all of Yisrael stone Adoram?
Perhaps it means all of Yisrael who were there. (PF)
Perhaps they were starting to return to their tents, and Rechav'am sent Adoram. (PF)
