King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 16:5 Mean?

2 Samuel 16:5 in the King James Version says “And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Sh...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. he came forth: or, he still came forth and cursed”

2 Samuel 16:5 · KJV

Context

3

And the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.

4

Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king. I humbly: Heb. I do obeisance

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. he came forth: or, he still came forth and cursed

6

And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

7

And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: bloody: Heb. man of blood

Read 2 Samuel 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Humiliation, emphasizing suffering within God's sovereignty. David's humiliation through Shimei's cursing and Ziba's deception tests his faith in God's sovereignty. His refusal to punish Shimei demonstrates trust that God controls even unjust accusations. Ahithophel's counsel and Absalom's public sin with David's concubines fulfill Nathan's prophecy (12:11-12). Theological themes include suffering within God's sovereign plan, responding to unjust accusations with faith, and the full exposure of hidden sin.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 16 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding suffering within God's sovereignty provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of suffering within God's sovereignty?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וּבָ֛א1 of 19

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ2 of 19

“And when king”

H4428

a king

דָּוִ֖ד3 of 19

“David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

עַד4 of 19
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

בַּֽחוּרִ֑ים5 of 19

“to Bahurim”

H980

bachurim, a place in palestine

וְהִנֵּ֣ה6 of 19
H2009

lo!

מִשָּׁם֩7 of 19
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אִ֨ישׁ8 of 19

“a man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

יָצ֖וֹא9 of 19

“behold thence came out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִמִּשְׁפַּ֣חַת10 of 19

“of the family”

H4940

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

בֵּית11 of 19

“of the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

שָׁא֗וּל12 of 19

“of Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

וּשְׁמוֹ֙13 of 19

“whose name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

שִׁמְעִ֣י14 of 19

“was Shimei”

H8096

shimi, the name of twenty israelites

בֶן15 of 19

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

גֵּרָ֔א16 of 19

“of Gera”

H1617

gera, the name of six israelites

יָצ֖וֹא17 of 19

“behold thence came out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

יָצ֖וֹא18 of 19

“behold thence came out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וּמְקַלֵּֽל׃19 of 19

“and cursed”

H7043

to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 16:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 16:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 3:161 Kings 2:8-91 Samuel 17:43Exodus 22:281 Kings 2:36-462 Samuel 17:18

Places in This Verse

BahurimSettlement · Modern: Ras Tumeim · 31.79°N, 35.26°E7 verses across 3 books
View all places in 2 Samuel 16 →

Test Your Knowledge

2 Samuel 16 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Samuel 16 with CommentaryAll 2 Samuel ChaptersComplete 2 Samuel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes