2 Samuel 16:5
2 Samuel 16:5 in Multiple Translations
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, 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 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.
And when King David came to Bahurim, a man of Saul's family named Shimei, the son of Gera, came out from there, calling curses after him.
As King David arrived at the town of Bahurim, a man from Saul's family was just leaving. His name was Shimei, son of Gera, and he was shouting out curses as he came.
And when king Dauid came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the familie of the house of Saul, named Shimei the sonne of Gera: and he came out, and cursed.
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;
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.
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 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,
When King David and those with him arrived at Bahurim town, a man named Shimei met him. Shimei, whose father was Gera, was one of Saul’s relatives. Shimei was cursing David as he approached.
David and his mob came close to a town called Bahurim. A man called Shimmey came out to meet them. He was one of Saul’s relatives, and his father’s name was Gera. He started to swear at David and talk curses.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 16:5
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2 Samuel 16:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 16:5
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 16:5
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Samuel 16:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 16:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 16:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:5
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:5
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 16:5
- Barnes' Notes on 2 Samuel 16:5
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:5
- Sermons on 2 Samuel 16:5
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. 7And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed!Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 3:16 | Her husband followed her, weeping all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go back.” So he returned home. |
| 2 | 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. |
| 3 | Exodus 22:28 | You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people. |
| 4 | 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.” |
| 5 | 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. After three years, however, two of Shimei’s slaves ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath. And Shimei was told, “Look, your slaves are in Gath.” So Shimei saddled his donkey and set out to Achish at Gath in search of his slaves, and he brought them back from Gath. When Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had returned, the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Did I not make you swear by the LORD and warn you, ‘On the day you leave and go elsewhere, know for sure that you will die’? And you told me, ‘The sentence is fair; I will comply.’ So why have you not kept your oath to the LORD and the command that I gave you?” The king also said, “You know in your heart all the evil that you did to my father David. Therefore the LORD will bring your evil back upon your head. But King Solomon will be blessed and David’s throne will remain secure before the LORD forever.” Then the king commanded Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei down, and he died. Thus the kingdom was firmly established in the hand of Solomon. |
| 6 | 2 Samuel 17:18 | But a young man did see them and told Absalom. So the two left quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. |
| 7 | Proverbs 26:2 | Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. |
| 8 | Psalms 69:26 | For they persecute the one You struck and recount the pain of those You wounded. |
| 9 | Ecclesiastes 10:20 | Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your words, and a winged creature may report your speech. |
| 10 | Isaiah 8:21 | They will roam the land, dejected and hungry. When they are famished, they will become enraged; and looking upward, they will curse their king and their God. |
2 Samuel 16:5 Summary
In this verse, we see a man named Shimei son of Gera cursing King David as he approaches Bahurim. This happens because Shimei is upset with David and believes he is responsible for the downfall of the house of Saul. We can learn from this that our words and actions have consequences, and that we should be careful not to speak out against God's leaders or plans without fully understanding the situation (as seen in 1 Samuel 24:6 and Psalm 105:15). By looking at this verse and others like it, such as 2 Samuel 16:11-12, we can see the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and respecting those in authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Shimei son of Gera cursing King David?
Shimei was cursing King David because he believed David was responsible for the downfall of the house of Saul, as seen in 2 Samuel 16:5, and was likely motivated by a sense of loyalty to Saul's family, as mentioned in 2 Samuel 16:5 and 1 Samuel 26:19.
What can we learn from Shimei's actions in this verse?
We can learn that our actions and words have consequences, and that speaking out against God's anointed leaders can be harmful, as seen in 1 Samuel 24:6 and Psalm 105:15, where God warns against touching or speaking against His anointed ones.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the story in 2 Samuel?
This verse is part of the larger narrative of David's flight from Jerusalem and his interactions with those who support or oppose him, as seen in 2 Samuel 15-18, and highlights the challenges and conflicts David faced during this time, including the rebellion led by his son Absalom, mentioned in 2 Samuel 15:10-12.
What does this verse teach us about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
This verse teaches us that God is sovereign over all events, including the actions of those who oppose His leaders, as seen in 2 Samuel 16:5 and Romans 11:33-36, and that human beings are still responsible for their choices and actions, as seen in Deuteronomy 30:19 and Joshua 24:15.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be like Shimei, speaking out against God's leaders or plans without fully understanding the situation?
- How can I balance my desire to speak truth and hold leaders accountable with the need to respect and honor those in authority, as seen in Romans 13:1-7 and Hebrews 13:17?
- What can I learn from King David's response to Shimei's curses, and how can I apply that to my own life when faced with criticism or opposition, as seen in 2 Samuel 16:11-12 and Psalm 38:13-14?
- In what ways am I being called to trust in God's sovereignty and provision, even in the midst of challenging circumstances, as seen in Psalm 23:4 and Isaiah 40:31?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 16:5
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 16:5
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:5
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:5
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:5
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:5
Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 16:5
Barnes' Notes on 2 Samuel 16:5
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:5
Sermons on 2 Samuel 16:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Spiritual Dangers) Being Under God's Authority by Don Currin | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of looking for the good in others and recognizing our own flaws. He encourages appealing to authority with scripture and sound |
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Acts 22_pt2 by Bill Gallatin | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the previous week's events where Paul had caused another riot while preaching. The speaker emphasizes God's sovereignty and control over all |
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2 Peter 2:10 by John Gill | John Gill expounds on 2 Peter 2:10, emphasizing the dangers of those who walk after the flesh, particularly in the context of immoral practices that defy both natural law and divin |
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Mute Christian Under the Smarting Rod -Part 2 by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the necessity for Christians to remain mute and silent during afflictions, drawing from Psalm 39:9 to illustrate that silence allows believers to hear the |
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He Dares Spit in the Very Face of God Himself! by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the folly of fretting against God during times of distress, illustrating how individuals often blame God for their suffering instead of recognizing their o |




