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 19:16KJV
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2 Samuel 19:16 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 19:16 mean?

2 Samuel 19:16 describes how Shimei, the son of Gera, who was from the tribe of Benjamin and the town of Bahurim, hurried to go down with the men of Judah to meet King David as David was returning. This verse shows Shimei taking quick action to approach David after a time of conflict.

At this point in the story, King David is coming back to Jerusalem after his son Absalom’s rebellion has ended. Shimei is known from earlier in the book for having cursed David when David was fleeing from Absalom. Now, as David returns in victory, Shimei rushes to meet him, likely seeking forgiveness or favor. The verse sets up a moment of tension and possible reconciliation between David and someone who had previously opposed him.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 19:16

  • שִׁמְעִי (Shim‘i, “Shimei”): This name identifies the man as the same Shimei who earlier cursed David, making his actions here significant in light of his past hostility.
  • בֶּן (ben, “son”): This word emphasizes Shimei’s lineage, connecting him to Gera and the tribe of Benjamin, which had a complicated relationship with David’s rule.
  • מִבַּחוּרִים (mi-Bahurim, “from Bahurim”): Naming Bahurim locates the story geographically and reminds the reader of the earlier encounter between Shimei and David that happened there.
  • מָהַר (mahar, “hasted”): The word for “hasted” shows Shimei’s urgency, suggesting eagerness or anxiety in approaching David, possibly out of fear or hope for mercy.

Why 2 Samuel 19:16 matters

  • This verse highlights a dramatic reversal for Shimei, who once cursed David but now seeks him out, likely to plead for forgiveness or safety.
  • The mention of Shimei’s background as a Benjamite from Bahurim connects this moment to earlier tensions between David and Saul’s former supporters, showing the ongoing challenges David faced in uniting Israel.
  • The verse prepares the reader for the encounter between David and Shimei, setting the stage for themes of mercy, justice, and reconciliation that follow in the narrative.

Where else these words appear

“Bahurim” Hebrew H980 · used in 5 verses

  • 2 Samuel 3:16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
  • 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.
  • 2 Samuel 17:18 Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down.

“Gera” Hebrew H1617 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 46:21 And the sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.
  • 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.
  • 1 Chronicles 8:3 And the sons of Bela were, Addar, and Gera, and Abihud,

“Benjamite” Hebrew H1145 · used in 18 verses

  • Judges 3:15 But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.
  • Judges 20:43 Thus they inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.
  • 2 Samuel 19:17 And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.

“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;