Atomic Bible

Benjamite; cursed David during Absalom's rebellion; later sought forgiveness.

Gera

Named in 4 verses across 2 books, first in 2 Samuel 16:5.

גֵּרָאGera

The name means “pilgrimage, combat; dispute.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869

Children
Shimei

About Gera Written by AI

Gera, a Benjamite, appears in the narrative of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David. When David was fleeing from Jerusalem due to Absalom's revolt, Gera's relative, Shimei, came out and cursed David, throwing stones and dirt at him (2 Samuel 16:5 to 8). Shimei accused David of being responsible for the bloodshed in Saul's house and claimed that God was punishing him by giving the kingdom to Absalom. David's servants wanted to kill Shimei for his disrespect, but David refused, believing that God might have sent Shimei to curse him (2 Samuel 16:9 to 14). After Absalom's defeat and death, Shimei, along with Gera and a thousand Benjamites, met David at the Jordan River to escort him back to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 19:16 to 18). Shimei fell down before David and sought forgiveness for his previous actions. David granted him mercy and promised not to put him to death (2 Samuel 19:18 to 23). However, on his deathbed, David instructed his son Solomon to deal with Shimei, considering him guilty of cursing the Lord's anointed (1 Kings 2:8 to 9). Gera's involvement in these events highlights the complex political dynamics within Israel during David's reign and the lingering tensions between the house of David and the supporters of Saul's dynasty.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

This entry is on the name Gera, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.

Grain. (1.) The son of Bela and grandson of Benjamin (1 Chr. 8:3, 5,7).

(2.) The father of Ehud the judge (Judg. 3:15).

Read the rest of the entry

(3.) The father of Shimei, who so grossly abused David (2 Sam. 16:5; 19:16, 18).

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.

GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names him

  1. 2 Samuel 16:5

    As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses.

  2. 2 Samuel 19:16

    Then Shimei son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David,

  3. 2 Samuel 19:18

    and crossed at the ford to carry over the king’s household and to do what was good in his sight. When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell down before the king

  4. 1 Kings 2:8

    Keep an eye on Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim who is with you. He called down bitter curses against me on the day I went to Mahanaim, but when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD: ‘I will never put you to the sword.’

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.