2 Samuel 16:5
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
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.

NASB 1995
When King David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out from there a man of the family of the house of Saul whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out cursing continually as he came.

NASB 1977
When King David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out from there a man of the family of the house of Saul whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out cursing continually as he came.

Legacy Standard Bible
And King David came to Bahurim, and behold, there came out from there a man of the family of the house of Saul whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out cursing continually as he came.

Amplified Bible
When King David came to Bahurim, a man named Shimei, the son of Gera, came out from there. He was of the family of Saul’s household and he was cursing continually as he came out.

Christian Standard Bible
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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.

American Standard Version
And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out thence a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out, and cursed still as he came.

Contemporary English Version
David was near the town of Bahurim when a man came out and started cursing him. The man was Shimei the son of Gera, and he was one of Saul's distant relatives.

English Revised Version
And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out thence a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came out, and cursed still as he came.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When King David came to Bahurim, a man who was a distant cousin of Saul came out cursing. His name was Shimei, son of Gera.

Good News Translation
When King David arrived at Bahurim, one of Saul's relatives, Shimei son of Gera, came out to meet him, cursing him as he came.

International Standard Version
Later on, as King David approached Bahurim, Gera's son Shimei, who was related to the family of Saul's household, went out to meet David, cursing continually as he approached.

Majority Standard Bible
As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses.

NET Bible
Then King David reached Bahurim. There a man from Saul's extended family named Shimei son of Gera came out, yelling curses as he approached.

New Heart English Bible
And when king David reached Bahurim, now look, a man of the family of the house of Saul came out, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera. He came out and cursed continuously as he approached.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
When King David came to Bahurim, behold, a man of the family of Saul’s house came out, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera. He came out and cursed as he came.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And King David has come to Bahurim, and behold, a man there is coming out, of the family of the house of Saul, and his name [is] Shimei, son of Gera, he comes out, coming out and reviling;

Young's Literal Translation
And king David hath come in unto Bahurim, and lo, thence a man is coming out, of the family of the house of Saul, and his name is Shimei, son of Gera, he cometh out, coming out and reviling;

Smith's Literal Translation
And king David went to Bahurim, and behold, from thence a man will come forth from the family of the house of Saul, and his name Shimei, son of Gera: he came forth, coming forth and cursing.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And king David came as far as Bahurim: and behold there came out from thence a man of the kindred of the house of Saul named Semei, the son of Gera, and coming out he cursed as he went on,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then king David went as far as Bahurim. And behold, a man from the kindred of the house of Saul, named Shimei, the son of Gera, went out from there. And going out, he continued on, and he was cursing,

New American Bible
As King David was approaching Bahurim, there was a man coming out; he was of the same clan as the house of Saul, and his name was Shimei, son of Gera. He kept cursing as he came out,

New Revised Standard Version
When King David came to Bahurim, a man of the family of the house of Saul came out whose name was Shimei son of Gera; he came out cursing.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when King David came to Beth-hurim, behold, there came out from there a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came forth and cursed David;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And King David came unto Bayth Khorim, and one man from the family of the house of Shaul went out from there, and his name was Shemi, son of Gera. He went out and insulted David
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out thence a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out, and kept on cursing as he came.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And king David came to Baurim; and, behold, there came out from thence a man of the family of the house of Saul, and his name was Semei the son of Gera. He came forth and cursed as he went,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Shimei Curses David
5As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses. 6He threw stones at David and at all the servants of the king, though the troops and all the mighty men were on David’s right and left.…

Cross References
1 Kings 2:8-9
Keep an eye on Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim who is with you. He called down bitter curses against me on the day I went to Mahanaim, but when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD: ‘I will never put you to the sword.’ / Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man. You know what you ought to do to him to bring his gray head down to Sheol in blood.”

2 Samuel 19:16-23
Then Shimei son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David, / along with a thousand men of Benjamin, as well as Ziba the steward of the house of Saul and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed down to the Jordan before the king / and crossed at the ford to carry over the king’s household and to do what was good in his sight. When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell down before the king ...

1 Samuel 17:43
“Am I a dog,” he said to David, “that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

1 Samuel 24:14
Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?

1 Samuel 26:19
Now please, may my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the LORD has stirred you up against me, then may He accept an offering. But if men have done it, may they be cursed in the presence of the LORD! For today they have driven me away from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’

2 Samuel 3:8
Abner was furious over Ish-bosheth’s accusation. “Am I the head of a dog that belongs to Judah?” he asked. “All this time I have been loyal to the house of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends. I have not delivered you into the hand of David, but now you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman!

2 Samuel 9:8
Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog like me?”

2 Samuel 19:21
But Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?”

1 Kings 2:36-46
Then the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Build a house for yourself in Jerusalem and live there, but do not go anywhere else. / On the day you go out and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will die; your blood will be on your own head.” / “The sentence is fair,” Shimei replied. “Your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken.” And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time. ...

Matthew 5:11-12
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

Matthew 27:39-44
And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads / and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” / In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, ...

Mark 15:29-32
And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, / come down from the cross and save Yourself!” / In the same way, the chief priests and scribes mocked Him among themselves, saying, “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself! ...

Luke 6:22-23
Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. / Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For their fathers treated the prophets in the same way.

Luke 23:35-39
The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” / The soldiers also mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine. / “If You are the King of the Jews,” they said, “save Yourself!” ...

John 15:18-20
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. / Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.


Treasury of Scripture

And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, there 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 21:18
And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.

1 Chronicles 6:60
And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with her suburbs, and Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities.

2 Samuel 16:14
And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.

whose name

2 Samuel 19:16
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.

1 Kings 2:8,9,36-44
And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword…

he came, etc.

Exodus 22:28
Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

1 Samuel 17:43
And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

Psalm 69:26
For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.

Jump to Previous
Approached Bahurim Bahu'rim Clan Continually Cursed Cursing David Family Forth Gera House Kept Saul Saul's Shimei Shim'e-I Thence
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Approached Bahurim Bahu'rim Clan Continually Cursed Cursing David Family Forth Gera House Kept Saul Saul's Shimei Shim'e-I Thence
2 Samuel 16
1. Ziba, by presents and false suggestions, obtains his master's inheritance
5. At Bahurim, Shimei curses David
9. David with patience abstains, and restrains others, from revenge
15. Hushai insinuates himself into Absalom's counsel
20. Ahithophel's counsel














As King David approached Bahurim
The phrase "As King David approached Bahurim" sets the scene for a significant moment in David's life. Bahurim was a village in the territory of Benjamin, near Jerusalem. The name "Bahurim" is derived from the Hebrew root "בָּחוּר" (bachur), meaning "young men" or "choice ones," which may indicate a place of select or notable individuals. This location is significant as it was within the tribal lands of Benjamin, the tribe of Saul, David's predecessor. Historically, this area would have been filled with those loyal to Saul's house, setting the stage for the confrontation that follows. David's approach to Bahurim symbolizes his journey through adversity and the challenges he faced as a leader chosen by God, yet opposed by many.

a man from the family of the house of Saul
This phrase identifies Shimei as a member of Saul's extended family, highlighting the ongoing tension between the house of Saul and David. The "house of Saul" refers to the lineage and supporters of Saul, Israel's first king, who was rejected by God in favor of David. The Hebrew word for "house" (בַּיִת, bayit) often signifies not just a physical dwelling but a lineage or dynasty. This familial connection underscores the deep-seated animosity and political rivalry that persisted even after Saul's death, reflecting the broader theme of division and loyalty within Israel.

whose name was Shimei son of Gera
The introduction of "Shimei son of Gera" provides a personal identity to the antagonist in this narrative. The name "Shimei" (שִׁמְעִי) is derived from the Hebrew root "שָׁמַע" (shama), meaning "to hear" or "to listen." This is ironic, as Shimei's actions demonstrate a refusal to listen to God's choice of David as king. "Son of Gera" further identifies Shimei's lineage, emphasizing his connection to the tribe of Benjamin and the house of Saul. This personal detail adds depth to the narrative, illustrating how personal and tribal loyalties can influence actions and attitudes.

came out, yelling curses as he came
The action of "came out, yelling curses as he came" vividly describes Shimei's aggressive confrontation with David. The Hebrew word for "curses" (קִלְלָה, qelalah) implies not just verbal abuse but invoking divine judgment or misfortune upon someone. This act of cursing a king was a serious offense, reflecting Shimei's deep-seated resentment and defiance. Historically, cursing a king was seen as a challenge to God's anointed, as kings were considered God's representatives on earth. Shimei's actions highlight the intense personal and political animosity that David faced, even as God's chosen leader. This moment serves as a reminder of the trials and opposition that often accompany those who follow God's calling, yet it also foreshadows the grace and forgiveness that David would later extend to Shimei, exemplifying a Christ-like response to persecution.

(5) Bahurim.--See Note on 2Samuel 3:16.

Of the family of the house of Saul.--That is, "of the family," in the larger sense of tribe. Many of the Benjamites naturally felt aggrieved when the royal house passed away from their tribe; and, although under restraint while David's government was strong, were ever ready to show their opposition and hatred when opportunity offered, as now with Shimei, and a little later with Sheba, the son of Bichri (2Samuel 20:1-2).

Verse 5. - Bahurim. The exact site of this place is unknown (see note on 2 Samuel 3:16). Lieut. Conder, following a Jewish tradition, identifies it with Almit, a village about four miles northeast of Jerusalem. If so it lay, not on the direct road to the fords, but on a side route. A man of the family of the house of Saul. The words do not mean that he was a near relative of Saul, but that he was a member of the mishpachah, the larger division of the tribe of Benjamin, to which the house of Saul, a much smaller subdivision of the family, belonged (see note on 2 Samuel 14:7). But he was a strong partisan, and so fanatical as to care little for his life, if only he could annoy the usurper. For besides "all the people," David had with him "the mighty men," a few of whom could easily have punished him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
As King
הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

David
דָּוִ֖ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

approached
וּבָ֛א (ū·ḇā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

Bahurim,
בַּֽחוּרִ֑ים (ba·ḥū·rîm)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 980: Bahurim -- 'young men's village', a city in Benjamin

a man
אִ֨ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

from the family
מִמִּשְׁפַּ֣חַת (mim·miš·pa·ḥaṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

of the house
בֵּית־ (bêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Saul
שָׁא֗וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

was just
וְהִנֵּ֣ה (wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

coming out.
יוֹצֵ֜א (yō·w·ṣê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

His name
וּשְׁמוֹ֙ (ū·šə·mōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

was Shimei
שִׁמְעִ֣י (šim·‘î)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8096: Shimei -- the name of a number of Israelites

son
בֶן־ (ḇen-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Gera,
גֵּרָ֔א (gê·rā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1617: Gera -- the name of several Israelites, also a Benjamite family

and as he approached,
יֹצֵ֥א (yō·ṣê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

he kept yelling out curses.
וּמְקַלֵּֽל׃ (ū·mə·qal·lêl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7043: To be slight, swift or trifling


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OT History: 2 Samuel 16:5 When king David came to Bahurim behold (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 16:4
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