2 Samuel 16:5

_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._ When king David came to Bahurim - a city of Benjamin (2 Samuel 3:16; 2 Samuel 19:16). It is, however, only the confines of the district that is here meant. THENCE CAME OUT A MAN. The place where this incident is supposed to have occurred is a low ridge of chalk hills, beyond which is a long narrow wady (Ruwaby) running toward the Nahr el-Kelt-the ancient Bahurim-along which David and his party of fugitive royalists took their journey, while Shimei was on the opposite bank (Barclay's 'City of the Great King,' p. 563; 'Tent and Khan,' p. 368). SHIMEI THE SON OF GERA The mi

5-14 David bore Shimei's curses much better than Ziba's flatteries; by these he was brought to pass a wrong judgment on another, by those to pass a right judgment on himself: the world's smiles are more dangerous than its frowns. Once and again David spared Saul's life, while Saul sought his. But innocence is no defence against malice and falsehood; nor are we to think it strange, if we are charged with that which we have been most careful to keep ourselves from. It is well for us, that men are not to be our judges, but He whose judgment is according to truth. See how patient David was under this abuse. Let this remind us of Christ, who prayed for those who reviled and crucified him. A humble spirit will turn reproaches into reproofs, and get good from them, instead of being provoked by them. David the hand of God in it, and comforts himself that God would bring good out of his afflictio...

Verse 2 Samuel 16:5. _DAVID CAME TO BAHURIM_] This place lay northward of Jerusalem, in the tribe of Benjamin. It is called _Almon_, Joshua 21:18; and _Alemeth_, 1 Chronicles 6:60. Bahurim signifies _youths_, and Almuth _youth_; so the names are of the same import. _CURSED STILL AS HE CAME._] Used imprecations and execrations....

BAHURIM - See 2 Samuel 3:16 note. It seems to have lain off the road, on a ridge 2 Samuel 16:13, separated from it by a narrow ravine, so that Shimei was out of easy reach though within hearing, and within a stone’s throw 2Sa 16:6, 2 Samuel 16:9. SHIMEI, THE SON OF GERA - In the title to Psalms 7 he is apparently called “Cush the Benjamite.” On Gera, see Judges 3:15 note....

EXPOSITION 2 SAMUEL 16:1 ZIBA THE SERVANT OF MEPHIBOSHETH. It is the misfortune of troubled times like those in which David found himself, that unscrupulous men use them for selfish purposes. For those in danger have no time for careful examination, nor are their minds sufficiently calm for impartial judgment, but they act on first impressions, and catch at every straw. Ziba's present would naturally raise everybody's spirits, and be taken as a good omen; for it showed that David had adherents in unlikely quarters, when thus a servant of the house of Saul of his own accord brought so timely an offering. The asses saddled for riding contradict the idea that Ziba met David by chance as he was bringing the produce of the farm for the use of Mephibosheth's household. More probably the asses had been saddled for Mephibosheth's own use, and

AND WHEN KING DAVID CAME TO BAHURIM,.... The Targum is, Alemath, perhaps the same that is said to be a city of the Levites, given unto them out of the tribe of Benjamin, 1 Chronicles 6:60 for the man next described, who was of this place, was a Benjaminite, 2 Samuel 19:16; 2 Samuel 3:16; David was not yet come to the city itself, but into the neighbourhood of it, the fields adjacent to it: and BEHOLD, THENCE CAME OUT A MAN OF THE FAMILY OF SAUL; a descendant of a branch of his family, who had entertained a private grudge and secret enmity against David, to whom he imputed the fall of the family of Saul: WHOSE NAME [WAS] SHIMEI, THE SON OF GERA: which might

6. THE SORROWS AND TESTINGS OF THE KING CHAPTER 16 _ 1. Lying Ziba (2 Samuel 16:1)_ 2. Shimei curses and stones David (2 Samuel 16:5) 3. Absalom enters Jerusalem (2 Samuel 16:15) 4. Ahitophel's wicked counsel (2 Samuel 16:20) Ziba in great craftiness meets the exiled king with provisions and acts as the false accuser of Mephibosheth. And David hastily puts all that belongs to Mephibosheth into his hands. Strange that David could believe in the falsehood of Ziba. How could one who was a helpless cripple aspire to possess a kingdom? Mephibosheth had been deceived ...

Soon after passing the summit of the Mt. of Olives David is met by Ziba, the servant of Meri-baal (2 Samuel 4:4), with a present of two asses laden with provisions. Ziba, representing that Meri-baal has turned traitor, obtains a grant of his property. 2 SAMUEL 16:5. At Bahurim, somewhere on the way to the Jordan, Shimei, a kinsman of Saul, follows David, uttering curses and throwing stones. David refuses to retaliate, feeling that his sufferings may move Yahweh to pity him. 2 SAMUEL 16:14. It is probable that the name of some place has dropped out. 1 Samuel 16:15 to...

BAHURIM. On east side of Olivet; "in tribe of Benjamin". MAN. Hebrew. _'ish._ App-14....

David cursed by Shimei 5. _Bahurim_ See note on ch. 2 Samuel 3:16. _Shimei_ See ch. 2 Samuel 19:16-23; 1 Kings 2:8-9. His connexion with the clan of Saul accounts for the virulence of his hatred....