Shimei
A Benjamite who cursed David and later died under Solomon.
AI-generated artistic depiction (no historical imagery exists)
Shimei is a name borne by several individuals in the Old Testament. The most prominent is Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim, who cursed King David during his flight from Absalom (2 Samuel 16:5, 2 Samuel 16:7, 2 Samuel 16:13). Another Shimei is listed as a son of Gershon, the Levite (Numbers 3:18, 1 Chronicles 6:17). Additional figures named Shimei appear in genealogies of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi (1 Chronicles 3:19, 1 Chronicles 4:26, 1 Chronicles 5:4, 1 Chronicles 6:29, 1 Chronicles 6:42, 1 Chronicles 23:7, 1 Chronicles 23:9).
- Number of distinct individuals named Shi
- At least 8 (Numbers 3:18, 2 Samuel 16:5, 1 Kings 4:18, 1 Chronicles 3:19, 1 Chronicles 4:26, 1 Chronicles 5:4, 1 Chronicles 6:29, 1 Chronicles 23:7)
- Shimei son of Gera's tribe
- Benjamin (2 Samuel 19:16, 1 Kings 2:8)
- Shimei son of Gera's hometown
- Bahurim (2 Samuel 16:5, 2 Samuel 19:16, 1 Kings 2:8)
- Shimei son of Gera's offense
- Cursed David and threw stones (2 Samuel 16:7, 2 Samuel 16:13)
- Shimei son of Gera's fate
- Died after violating Solomon's oath (1 Kings 2:39-42, 1 Kings 2:44)
Lore & Background
Other men named Shimei appear in genealogies: a son of Gershon (Numbers 3:18, 1 Chronicles 6:17), a son of Pedaiah and brother of Zerubbabel (1 Chronicles 3:19), a descendant of Simeon with many children (1 Chronicles 4:26-27), a descendant of Reuben (1 Chronicles 5:4), a Levite descendant of Merari (1 Chronicles 6:29), a Levite ancestor of Ethan (1 Chronicles 6:42), and a Gershonite chief (1 Chronicles 23:7, 1 Chronicles 23:9). One Shimei was an officer in Benjamin under Solomon (1 Kings 4:18). Another Shimei was among David's supporters who did not join Adonijah (1 Kings 1:8).
Reader's Guide
The passages portray Shimei son of Gera as a volatile figure: first a cursing enemy of David, then a supplicant who receives mercy, and finally a violator of a royal oath who suffers the consequences. His actions are consistently tied to his Benjamite identity and his hometown Bahurim (2 Samuel 16:5, 2 Samuel 19:16). The narrative emphasizes David's restraint and oath-keeping (2 Samuel 19:23, 1 Kings 2:8), contrasted with Solomon's strict enforcement of the conditional pardon (1 Kings 2:36-44). Shimei's breach of the oath—leaving Jerusalem to retrieve runaway servants—is presented as the cause of his death (1 Kings 2:39-42). The other Shimeis are merely names in genealogies or lists, with no narrative beyond their familial connections (Numbers 3:18, 1 Chronicles 3:19, 1 Chronicles 4:26, 1 Chronicles 5:4, 1 Chronicles 6:17, 1 Chronicles 6:29, 1 Chronicles 6:42, 1 Chronicles 23:7, 1 Chronicles 23:9).
Did You Know?
- Shimei son of Gera is explicitly called a Benjamite and a man of the house of Saul (2 Samuel 16:5).
- David swore to Shimei 'Thou shalt not die' but Solomon later had him killed for leaving Jerusalem (2 Samuel 19:23, 1 Kings 2:36-44).
- Shimei's servants fled to Achish king of Gath, prompting Shimei to break his oath (1 Kings 2:39-40).
- At least eight different men named Shimei appear in these passages, including Levites, a descendant of Zerubbabel, and a Simeonite (Numbers 3:18, 1 Chronicles 3:19, 1 Chronicles 4:26, 1 Chronicles 5:4, 1 Chronicles 6:17,
Elsewhere in the Figures of Scripture universe
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