2 Samuel 16:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera, and as he came he cursed continually.

NIV: As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out.

NASB: When King David came to Bahurim, behold, a man was coming out from there from the family of the house of Saul, and his name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he was coming out, cursing as he came.

CSB: When King David got to Bahurim, a man belonging to the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he was yelling curses as he approached.

NLT: As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out of the village cursing them. It was Shimei son of Gera, from the same clan as Saul’s family.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Now when King David came to Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera, coming from there. He came out, cursing continuously as he came.

This has been one of the worst days of David's life. He's fleeing from a rebellion, trying to get his people to the safety of the Jordan River. Throughout the day, he's learned who is loyal to him and who is trying to take his life. His son Absalom is at the head of this coup. He manipulated the elders of Judah, part of the army, many from throughout the northern tribes, and even David's trusted counselor Ahithophel.

But David still has allies. Besides his household servants, he has three units of Philistine warriors, the priests and Levites, and his old friend Hushai. For now, David thinks he's lost the heart of Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, but Mephibosheth's servant Ziba has just brought provisions for the journey.

The exiles have reached Bahurim, just north of the Mount of Olives. They're deep in Benjamite territory: the home territory of the former king, Saul. So, it's no great surprise when Saul's relative Shimei shows up. He blames David for Saul's death and his dynasty's fall. He curses David and throws rocks at the convoy until they're out of sight (2 Samuel 16:6–8, 13).

Not everyone from Bahurim shares Shimei's rage. Soon, Hushai will infiltrate Absalom's council and convince him to delay his attack on David. Hushai will tell the priests, Abiathar and Zadok, that Absalom will come after David. The priests will send a messenger to tell their sons. With Absalom's soldiers on their heels, Jonathan and Ahimaaz will race to Bahurim and hide in a well. A woman will hide the well with a cover and some barley seed, then redirect the soldiers. Jonathan and Ahimaaz will make it to David, and his people will safely cross the Jordan River (2 Samuel 17:15–22).

Second Samuel 16:5–8 shows David meeting another member of Saul's family. He and his servants are running for their lives, trying to get to the Jordan River before Absalom can attack. Ziba, Jonathan's son's servant, has already given them food and donkeys (2 Samuel 16:1– 4). Now, Saul's relative Shimei has come to offer curses and stones. He blames David for Saul and his sons' deaths. David's general Abishai offers to execute Shimei, but David stops him. For all David knows, God has told Shimei to do this. If that's the case, David will bear it patiently (2 Samuel 16:9–14).

David flees and Absalom takes Jerusalem. Absalom arrives with his supporters while David and his servants race to the Jordan River (2 Samuel 15). Mephibosheth's servant Ziba brings David donkeys, provisions, and news that Mephibosheth has also betrayed David. Shimei, Saul's relative, throws stones and curses at David and his people. David's former counselor Ahithophel convinces Absalom to have sex with David's concubines. But David's friend Hushai has infiltrated Absalom's council and will prove to be an exceptionally good spy (2 Samuel 17:1–22).

In 2 Samuel 16, leadership in Jerusalem changes hands. Because of David's sin (2 Samuel 11), God predicts death and controversy in David's life. That starts with assault and murder within David's own family (2 Samuel 12—14). The murderer, David's son Absalom, took four years to gain the people's trust and declare himself king (2 Samuel 15:1–11). He won over David's counselor, but David has his servants, warriors, two priests, and an old friend: the last three stay as spies (2 Samuel 15:13–37). As Absalom takes the throne, David meets two Benjamites: one helpful and one horrible. Soon, Absalom will plan an attack, but the priests and David's friend send word and save David's people (2 Samuel 17:1–22).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.