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.

And when king {H4428} David {H1732} came {H935} to Bahurim {H980}, behold, thence came out {H3318} a man {H376} of the family {H4940} of the house {H1004} of Saul {H7586}, whose name {H8034} was Shimei {H8096}, the son {H1121} of Gera {H1617}: he came forth {H3318}, and cursed {H7043} still as he came {H3318}.

When King David arrived at Bachurim, there came out from there a man from Sha'ul's family named Shim'i the son of Gera; and he came out pronouncing curses

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.

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.

Commentary

2 Samuel 16:5 records a poignant moment in King David's life during his desperate flight from Jerusalem due to the rebellion of his son, Absalom. As David and his loyal followers reached Bahurim, a village east of Jerusalem, they were met by Shimei, a man with deep ties to the fallen house of Saul.

Context of the Verse

This verse is set against the backdrop of one of David's darkest periods. His own son, Absalom, had mounted a successful coup, forcing the beloved king to flee his capital in humiliation (2 Samuel 15:13-14). David’s entourage, including his mighty men and household, was in a state of distress and vulnerability. Shimei’s appearance at Bahurim is not random; he seizes this moment of David’s weakness to express long-held resentment and loyalty to the previous dynasty, that of King Saul.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Lingering Resentment and Opposition: Shimei represents the segment of Israelite society that remained fiercely loyal to the house of Saul and viewed David as a usurper or, at the very least, responsible for Saul's downfall. His open cursing highlights the deep divisions and unresolved tensions that still existed within the kingdom, even after many years of David's reign.
  • David's Humiliation and Vulnerability: The scene underscores the profound personal and political humiliation David was enduring. To be publicly cursed by a commoner, especially one from the former royal family, while in flight, was a deeply shaming experience for a king. This moment serves as a stark contrast to his earlier triumphs.
  • Divine Sovereignty and David's Response: While not explicitly stated in this verse, David's subsequent reaction to Shimei's cursing (as seen in 2 Samuel 16:10-12) reveals a profound humility and an understanding that even this insult might be permitted or even orchestrated by God. He saw it as a potential part of God's refining process or a consequence of his own past sins.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "cursed still as he came" uses the Hebrew verb qalal (קָלַל), which means to be light, swift, or to treat lightly. In this context, it signifies a deep, scornful cursing, implying the speaker holds the subject in utter contempt and wishes ill upon them. It was not a casual insult but a profound act of verbal abuse and defiance, likely invoking spiritual harm or divine judgment against David.

Practical Application

This verse offers several insights for believers today:

  • How to Respond to Adversity: David's initial reaction to Shimei, though not fully detailed until subsequent verses, sets an example of patience and trust in God's ultimate justice, even when unjustly maligned. We are reminded that God can use even the most painful and humiliating circumstances for His purposes (Romans 8:28).
  • Understanding Human Nature: The incident reveals the persistent nature of resentment and how individuals may seize opportunities to express long-held grievances, especially when power dynamics shift.
  • The Cost of Leadership: Leaders, even godly ones, often face undeserved criticism and opposition, particularly during times of weakness or crisis. This narrative encourages endurance and reliance on divine strength rather than immediate retaliation.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 1 Kings 2:8

    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.

  • 1 Kings 2:9

    Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou [art] a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.

  • Exodus 22:28

    Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

  • 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.

  • 1 Kings 2:36

    And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither.