2 Samuel 16:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Shimei said as he cursed, "Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man!

NIV: As he cursed, Shimei said, "Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel!

NASB: This is what Shimei said when he cursed: 'Go away, go away, you man of bloodshed and worthless man!

CSB: Shimei said as he cursed: "Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed, you wicked man!

NLT: Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel!' he shouted at David.

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

NKJV: Also Shimei said thus when he cursed: “Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue!

David and his servants are fleeing Jerusalem. Absalom is on his way with his supporters, ready to kill anyone who remains devoted to the king (2 Samuel 15:10–17). As David and his people make their way to the Jordan River, Shimei, a relative of Saul's, curses them and throws rocks (2 Samuel 16:5–6). He calls him a "man of Beliyaal": a "man of the Devil."

Shimei claims that David carries the blood of the house of Saul (2 Samuel 16:8). On the surface, the claim is ridiculous. All the years Saul chased David, David absolutely refused to fight. When David cut off a corner of Saul's cloak, and he realized he had touched the Lord's anointed, he was mortified (1 Samuel 24:1–7). He wrote a lament when Saul and Jonathan were killed by the Philistines (2 Samuel 1:17–27). And he took in Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, refusing to kill him or Saul's other descendants, including Shimei, to strengthen his hold on the crown (2 Samuel 9).

However, the two families were not entirely peaceful. When David became king over Judah, Saul's general Abner installed Saul's son Ish-bosheth as king over the northern tribes (2 Samuel 2:8–11). In part because of Abner's aggression and Joab's quest for vengeance, the two sides engaged in a long war (2 Samuel 3:1). Eventually, Abner grew tired of both Ish-bosheth and losing and came to David's side. Ish-bosheth was murdered by bandits, and the northern tribes agreed to make David king (2 Samuel 3:9–11; 4:5–8; 5:3).

Another alternative is that, if the events of 2 Samuel are not entirely chronological, Shimei is referring to the sons and grandsons of Saul whom David turned over to the Gibeonites for an unnamed offense (2 Samuel 21:1–9). But, more likely, Shimei means Saul, his sons, and possibly Abner.

David is certainly a man of blood. His life has been violent—so much so that God won't let him build the temple (1 Chronicles 28:2–3). However, he is not responsible for the hardships Saul's family experienced. David understands that Absalom's rebellion and Shimei's insults are God's punishment because David is guilty of Uriah's blood (2 Samuel 12:9–11).

Yet somewhere along the way, David met up with Joab, Abishai, his "mighty men," and the part of the army who remained loyal. Abishai even offers to take off Shimei's head. David restrains him. It was God's will that Saul's house would fail, and it's God's will that Shimei would test David (2 Samuel 16:9–11).

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).