And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:
2 SAMUEL 16:7KJVWhat 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.