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.
a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out
This phrase indicates the ongoing tension between the house of Saul and the house of David. Saul was the first king of Israel, and his family had lost the throne to David. The mention of Saul's family suggests lingering resentment and political rivalry. This historical context reflects the deep-seated divisions within Israel, which were exacerbated by David's current predicament.
His name was Shimei son of Gera
Shimei is identified by name, which personalizes the encounter and highlights his role in the narrative. Being a member of Saul's family, Shimei's actions can be seen as motivated by loyalty to Saul's legacy. The mention of his father, Gera, situates Shimei within the broader genealogical context of the tribe of Benjamin, Saul's tribe, further emphasizing the tribal and familial loyalties at play.
and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses
Shimei's cursing of David is significant both culturally and theologically. In ancient Israel, cursing was a serious act, often invoking divine judgment. Shimei's actions reflect the cultural practice of expressing enmity and seeking justice through verbal imprecation. Theologically, this moment can be seen as a test of David's character and faith, as he chooses to endure the curses rather than retaliate, demonstrating humility and trust in God's sovereignty. This restraint can be seen as a type of Christ, who also endured reviling without retaliation.
• David is fleeing Jerusalem because of Absalom’s revolt (2 Samuel 15:14). This humiliating retreat sets the emotional background for the encounter.
• Bahurim lies on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, the last suburb before the wilderness. Previously, it was where Michal’s husband Paltiel followed her weeping (2 Samuel 3:16), a reminder that pain often surfaces at this location.
• David’s journey pictures the believer’s walk through seasons of discipline and testing (Psalm 3:1–3). The Lord allows opposition to refine attitudes of humility and dependence (Hebrews 12:5–6).
• The narrative highlights lingering tensions between the old regime and the new. Saul’s relatives still feel the sting of losing power (1 Samuel 15:26–28).
• God had formally transferred the kingdom to David (2 Samuel 3:9–10), yet not everyone surrendered to that reality—just as some hearts resist Christ’s rightful rule (John 1:11).
• David, for his part, shows no desire to crush the remnant of Saul’s line; he earlier spared Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:7). The contrast underlines grace in the face of resentment (Ephesians 4:32).
• Shimei appears only here and in the accounts of his later apology (2 Samuel 19:18–23) and his eventual execution for renewed disobedience (1 Kings 2:36–46).
• His Benjaminite heritage explains his loyalty to Saul, but his heart posture exposes personal bitterness rather than principled loyalty (James 3:14–16).
• The Spirit records his name to show that God sees and weighs every individual response to His anointed (Numbers 16:30–35).
• Shimei curses continuously, hurling both words and stones (2 Samuel 16:6). Scripture warns, “You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people” (Exodus 22:28).
• David’s measured reaction—“Let him curse, for the LORD has told him” (2 Samuel 16:11)—displays faith in God’s sovereignty (Romans 12:19).
• This scene foreshadows Christ, who “when He was reviled, did not retaliate” (1 Peter 2:23). The true King absorbs hostility, entrusting Himself to the Father.
• God later vindicates David; Shimei repents publicly (2 Samuel 19:20), proving that patience under insult often exposes the foolishness of the accuser (Proverbs 15:1).
2 Samuel 16:5 shows David, God’s chosen king, encountering hostile opposition from Shimei, a bitter relative of Saul, while passing through Bahurim. The verse exposes simmering resentment against God’s ordained leadership, highlights the testing of a humble king in exile, and sets the stage for divine vindication. In every age, the passage warns against cursing whom God has installed and encourages trusting His justice when mistreated.
(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.