Atomic Bible

Benjamite who cursed David during Absalom's rebellion.

Shimei

Named in 15 verses across 2 books, first in 2 Samuel 16:5.

שִׁמְעִיShimei

The name means “Shimi, that hears or obeys; my reputation; my fame.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869

Father
Gera

About Shimei Written by AI

Shimei was a Benjamite from the family of Saul who encountered King David during Absalom's rebellion (2Sa. 16:5). As David fled Jerusalem, Shimei cursed him, threw stones at him, and accused him of being a murderer and a wicked man (2Sa. 16:7, 13). After Absalom's defeat, Shimei met David at the Jordan River, seeking forgiveness for his actions (2Sa. 19:16, 18). Although Abishai, one of David's men, wanted to kill Shimei, David spared his life (2Sa. 19:21, 23). However, on his deathbed, David instructed his son Solomon to deal with Shimei, suggesting that he should not be left unpunished (1Ki. 2:8-9). Solomon later confined Shimei to Jerusalem and warned him that leaving the city would result in his death, a condition Shimei initially accepted (1Ki. 2:36-38). However, when Shimei violated this agreement by leaving Jerusalem to retrieve his runaway servants, Solomon ordered his execution (1Ki. 2:39-46).

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 Shimei, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.

Famous. (1.) A son of Gershon, and grandson of Levi (Num. 3:18; 1 Chr. 6:17, 29); called Shimi in Ex. 6:17.

(2.) A Benjamite of the house of Saul, who stoned and cursed David when he reached Bahurim in his flight from Jerusalem on the occasion of the rebellion of Absalom (2 Sam. 16:5-13). After the defeat of Absalom he “came cringing to the king, humbly suing for pardon, bringing with him a thousand of his Benjamite tribesmen, and representing that he was heartily sorry for his crime, and had hurried the first of all the house of Israel to offer homage to the king” (19:16-23). David forgave him; but on his death-bed he gave Solomon special instructions regarding Shimei, of whose fidelity he seems to have been in doubt (1 Kings 2:8,9). He was put to death at the command of Solomon, because he had violated his word by leaving Jerusalem and going to Gath to recover two of his servants who had escaped (36-46).

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(3.) One of David’s mighty men who refused to acknowledge Adonijah as David’s successor (1 Kings 1:8). He is probably the same person who is called elsewhere (4:18) “the son of Elah.”

(4.) A son of Pedaiah, the brother of Zerubbabel (1 Chr. 3:19).

(5.) A Simeonite (1 Chr. 4:26, 27).

(6.) A Reubenite (1 Chr. 5:4).

(7.) A Levite of the family of Gershon (1 Chr. 6:42).

(8.) A Ramathite who was “over the vineyards” of David (1 Chr. 27:27).

(9.) One of the sons of Heman, who assisted in the purification of the temple (2 Chr. 29:14).

(10.) A Levite (2 Chr. 31:12, 13).

(11.) Another Levite (Ezra 10:23). “The family of Shimei” (Zech. 12:13; R.V., “the family of the Shimeites”) were the descendants of Shimei (1).

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 16:7

    And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed!

  3. 2 Samuel 16:13

    So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei went along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he yelled curses, threw stones, and flung dust at David.

  4. 2 Samuel 19:16

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

  5. 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

  6. 2 Samuel 19:21

    But Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?”

  7. 2 Samuel 19:23

    So the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king swore an oath to him.

  8. 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.’

  9. 1 Kings 2:36

    Then the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Build a house for yourself in Jerusalem and live there, but do not go anywhere else.

  10. 1 Kings 2:38

    “The sentence is fair,” Shimei replied. “Your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken.” And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time.

  11. 1 Kings 2:39

    After three years, however, two of Shimei’s slaves ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath. And Shimei was told, “Look, your slaves are in Gath.”

  12. 1 Kings 2:40

    So Shimei saddled his donkey and set out to Achish at Gath in search of his slaves, and he brought them back from Gath.

  13. 1 Kings 2:41

    When Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had returned,

  14. 1 Kings 2:42

    the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Did I not make you swear by the LORD and warn you, ‘On the day you leave and go elsewhere, know for sure that you will die’? And you told me, ‘The sentence is fair; I will comply.’

  15. 1 Kings 2:44

    The king also said, “You know in your heart all the evil that you did to my father David. Therefore the LORD will bring your evil back upon your head.

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