Shimei
maleUnited MonarchyMeaning: “Renowned; my fame”
A kinsman of Saul who cursed and stoned David as he fled from Absalom, was later pardoned, but was finally executed by Solomon for breaking his oath.
Biography
Shimei, son of Gera, was a Benjamite of the house of Saul. He is remembered for the bitter cursing he heaped on David at the lowest moment of the king's life.
Cursing the fleeing king
As David fled Jerusalem during Absalom's revolt, Shimei walked along the hillside cursing him and throwing stones and dust, calling him a "bloody man" (2 Samuel 16:5–8). Abishai wanted to behead him, but David refused: "let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David" (2 Samuel 16:11).
Pardon and judgment
When David returned in triumph, Shimei hurried to beg forgiveness, and David swore not to kill him (2 Samuel 19:18–23). But on his deathbed David charged Solomon to deal with him. Solomon confined Shimei to Jerusalem on pain of death; when he later broke the boundary to recover runaway servants, Solomon had him executed (1 Kings 2:36–46).
Life Timeline
Curses and stones David fleeing from Absalom
Executed by Solomon for breaking his oath
On the Bible timeline
Shimei belongs to the The United Monarchy era (c. 1050 – 930 BC).
- c. 1010 – 970 BCDavid's Reign
- c. 966 BCSolomon's Temple Built
- c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
Themes & lessons from Shimei
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Shimei appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
17 verses in 2 books2 Samuel7 verses
2 Samuel 16:5
And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. he came forth: or, he still came forth and cursed
2 Samuel 16:7
And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: bloody: Heb. man of blood
2 Samuel 16:13
And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust. cast: Heb. dusted him with dust
2 Samuel 19:16
And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.
2 Samuel 19:18
And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king's household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan; what: Heb. the good in his eyes
2 Samuel 19:21
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD'S anointed?
2 Samuel 19:23
Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.
1 Kings10 verses
1 Kings 1:8
But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.
1 Kings 2:8
And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword. grievous: Heb. strong
1 Kings 2:36
And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither.
1 Kings 2:38
And Shimei said unto the king, The saying is good: as my lord the king hath said, so will thy servant do. And Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.
1 Kings 2:39
And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto Achish son of Maachah king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, Behold, thy servants be in Gath.
1 Kings 2:40
And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and Shimei went, and brought his servants from Gath.
1 Kings 2:41
And it was told Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and was come again.
1 Kings 2:42
And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Did I not make thee to swear by the LORD, and protested unto thee, saying, Know for a certain, on the day thou goest out, and walkest abroad any whither, that thou shalt surely die? and thou saidst unto me, The word that I have heard is good.
1 Kings 2:44
The king said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore the LORD shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head;
1 Kings 4:18
Shimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin:
Frequently asked about Shimei
Who was Shimei in the Bible?
A kinsman of Saul who cursed and stoned David as he fled from Absalom, was later pardoned, but was finally executed by Solomon for breaking his oath.
What does the name Shimei mean?
The name Shimei means “Renowned; my fame”.
Where does Shimei appear in the Bible?
Shimei is mentioned 17 times across 2 books: 2 Samuel, 1 Kings.
What can we learn from Shimei?
The story of Shimei touches on themes of shimei, punishments, amnesty, treason — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Shimei's life.
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