Shimei(shimi, shimhi)
“Hear me (El); or renowned”
Summary
A name borne by numerous Old Testament figures, most notably the Benjamite who cursed King David during Absalom's rebellion and was later executed under Solomon.
☩Shimei Who Cursed David
The most notorious Shimei was a Benjamite of the house of Saul who lived at Bahurim. When David fled from Absalom's rebellion, Shimei ran along a ridge overlooking the road, cursing David as 'a man of blood,' throwing stones and dust at the king and his retinue. He blamed David for the downfall of Saul's house. When Abishai wanted to kill him, David restrained him, accepting Shimei's curses as permitted by God. After Absalom's defeat, Shimei was the first of Benjamin to meet the returning king, falling at his feet in abject penitence. David spared him with an oath but later charged Solomon to deal with him. Solomon confined Shimei to Jerusalem on pain of death; when he left the city to recover escaped slaves three years later, he was executed by Benaiah.
☩Shimei Son of Gershon
The son of Gershon and grandson of Levi founded a Levitical family, the Shimeites. His descendants served in the temple worship and are mentioned in connection with the family of Zechariah 12:13.
☩Other Notable Shimeis
Other men bearing this name include: a faithful adherent of Solomon during Adonijah's rebellion, who may be identical with Solomon's commissariat officer in Benjamin; a Ramathite who oversaw David's vineyards; a Levite who helped cleanse the temple under Hezekiah and later supervised offerings and tithes; and an ancestor of Mordecai.
Related Verses40 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Shimei," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Shimei," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Shimei," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).