And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:

2 SAMUEL 16:7KJV
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2 Samuel 16:7 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 16:7 mean?

2 Samuel 16:7 describes how Shimei, while cursing David, shouted at him to leave and called him a "bloody man" and a "man of Belial," accusing David of being guilty of bloodshed and wickedness. Shimei is openly insulting and condemning David as he passes by.

In this scene, Shimei is speaking directly to King David, who is fleeing Jerusalem because his son Absalom has rebelled against him. Shimei, from the family of Saul, uses harsh language to blame David for violence and calls him a "man of Belial," which means a worthless or wicked person. This moment highlights the public humiliation and accusations David faces during his time of crisis.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 16:7

  • "cursed" (קָלַל, qālal): This word means to treat with contempt or to insult. Shimei is not just swearing; he is publicly shaming David with serious accusations.
  • "bloody" (דָּם, dam): This word refers to blood, often used for bloodshed or violence. Shimei is accusing David of being responsible for deaths, likely referencing Saul's family.
  • "man of Belial" (בְּלִיַּעַל, beliyya‘al): This phrase means a worthless or wicked person. In Hebrew, it carries a strong sense of moral corruption or lawlessness, making Shimei's insult especially severe.

Why 2 Samuel 16:7 matters

  • This verse shows the depth of David's humiliation as he is not only fleeing for his life but also being cursed and accused in public by someone from Saul's family.
  • The use of "man of Belial" reveals how strongly some Israelites, like Shimei, viewed David's actions and character, especially in the context of Saul's downfall.
  • Understanding Shimei's words helps clarify the tension and bitterness that lingered after Saul's reign, and how David's kingship was still contested by some.

Where else these words appear

“Belial” Hebrew H1100 · used in 26 verses

  • Deuteronomy 13:13 Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;
  • 1 Samuel 25:25 Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.
  • Job 34:18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?

“Shimei” Hebrew H8096 · used in 39 verses

  • Exodus 6:17 The sons of Gershon; Libni, and Shimi, according to their families.
  • 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 Chronicles 8:21 And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi;

“cursed” Hebrew H7043 · used in 79 verses

  • Genesis 8:8 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;
  • 2 Samuel 16:9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.
  • Psalms 109:28 Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.