2 Samuel 16:7

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

And thus said {H559} Shimei {H8096} when he cursed {H7043}, Come out {H3318}, come out {H3318}, thou bloody {H1818} man {H376}, and thou man {H376} of Belial {H1100}:

When Shim'i cursed, he said, "Get out of here! Get out of here, you killer, you good-for-nothing!

And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed!

And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Begone, begone, thou man of blood, and base fellow:

Commentary

2 Samuel 16:7 captures a pivotal moment during King David's desperate flight from his rebellious son, Absalom. As David and his loyal followers made their way out of Jerusalem, they were met by Shimei, a relative of King Saul's house, who launched a torrent of bitter curses and accusations against David.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of Absalom's usurpation of the throne, forcing David to flee Jerusalem in great distress. Shimei, from the clan of Saul, saw David's predicament as divine retribution for the perceived injustices against Saul's lineage, despite David's anointing by God and his genuine sorrow over Saul's death (see 2 Samuel 1:17). Shimei's actions reflect the deep-seated political and tribal tensions that persisted even after David had unified Israel.

Key Themes

  • Unjust Accusation: Shimei's curses were unfounded regarding David's direct responsibility for the downfall of Saul's house. He accused David of being a "bloody man," perhaps referring to his military campaigns or the deaths of Saul's family members, though David was innocent of the specific charge of shedding innocent blood from Saul's household.
  • Human Reaction to Adversity: Shimei's outburst demonstrates how some may interpret misfortune as a sign of divine judgment, using it as an opportunity to vocalize long-held grievances.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Humility: David's remarkable response to Shimei's curses, as seen in 2 Samuel 16:10, reveals his humility and his belief that God was allowing this suffering, perhaps to refine him or for a greater purpose. This teaches us about God's sovereign hand even in affliction.

Linguistic Insights

The term "man of Belial" (Hebrew: ish Beliyya'al) is a significant insult. Belial literally means "worthlessness," "wickedness," or "destruction." It describes someone who is utterly depraved, lawless, and without moral worth. It's not a proper name here but an epithet for a person embodying evil or worthlessness. In the Old Testament, it's often used to describe rebellious or corrupt individuals, such as the sons of Eli in 1 Samuel 2:12 or those who incite idolatry in Deuteronomy 13:13. Shimei used this to strip David of all dignity and legitimacy.

Practical Application

This passage offers profound lessons for believers today. When faced with unjust accusations or suffering, we can learn from David's example of humility and trust in God's ultimate control. Rather than retaliating, David recognized that even the bitterest curses could be part of God's plan for his growth and purification. It reminds us not to be quick to judge others based on their outward circumstances, and to understand that God permits difficulties for His own wise purposes, even through the actions of those who oppose us.

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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 3:37

    For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.

  • 1 Samuel 2:12

    Now the sons of Eli [were] sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.

  • Psalms 51:14

    ¶ Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: [and] my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

  • 1 Kings 21:10

    And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And [then] carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.

  • 1 Kings 21:13

    And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, [even] against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.

  • 1 Samuel 25:17

    Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he [is such] a son of Belial, that [a man] cannot speak to him.

  • Deuteronomy 13:13

    [Certain] men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;