17. leaving Rehoboam as king only of the people who lived in the territory of Judah.
18. Then King Rehoboam sent Adoniram, who was in charge of the forced labour, to go to the Israelites, but they stoned him to death. At this, Rehoboam hurriedly got into his chariot and escaped to Jerusalem.
19. Ever since that time the people of the northern kingdom of Israel have been in rebellion against the dynasty of David.