Bahurim
“Low grounds, or young men's village”
Summary
A village in Benjamin's territory on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, associated with David's flight from Absalom and the cursing of Shimei.
☩Location
Bahurim was situated on or near the old road leading from Jerusalem down through the Mount of Olives to the Jordan valley. It lay apparently just off the main road in Benjamite territory. The Talmud identifies it with Alemeth, the modern Almit, about a mile beyond Anathoth going from Jerusalem.
☩Shimei's Cursing
Bahurim was home to Shimei, son of Gera, a relative of King Saul. When David fled from Absalom and descended the eastern slopes of Olivet toward the Jordan, Shimei came out from Bahurim running along the ridge of the hill opposite, hurling stones and dirt while cursing David with bitter abuse—behavior still exhibited in the East toward fallen greatness. Solomon later confined Shimei to Jerusalem, with death as the penalty for leaving, which he eventually violated.
☩Other Associations
At Bahurim, Phaltiel (Paltiel) tearfully parted from his wife Michal when Abner took her back to David at Hebron. Here also, in the courtyard of a house, Jonathan and Ahimaaz hid in a well while a woman spread grain over its covering to conceal them from Absalom's servants searching for David's messengers.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Bahurim," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Bahurim," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Bahurim," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).