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Bible Encyclopedias
Shimei
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (Heb. Shinzmi', שַׁמְעַי , my fame, or renowned; Sept. Σεμε ‹, but Σαμα ‹ θ in 1 Chronicles 8:21; Σαμού in Ezra 10:23; Σεμείας in Esther 2:5; and v. r. Σεμε ‹ α occasionally elsewhere), the name of some sixteen Hebrews..
1. The second named of the two sons of Gershon the son of Levi (Exodus 6:17; A. V. "Shimi;" Numbers 3:18; 1 Chronicles 6:17 [Hebrews 2]; Zechariah 12:13). B.C. post 1874. In 1 Chronicles 6:29 [Heb. 14] he is called the sont of Libni and father of Uzza, and both are reckoned as sons of Merari; but there is reason to suppose that there is some clerical error in this verse, as he is everywhere else represented to be Libni's brother. In 1 Chronicles 23:7-10 his posterity is enumerated, but the text has probably there also suffered a transposition, so that we ought to read,;" Of the Gershonites were Laadan [or Libni] and Shimei. The sons of Laadan the chief was Jehiel, and Zetham, and, Joel, three; these were the chief of the fathers of Laadan. The Sons of Shimei, Shelomith [or Shelomoth ], and Haziel, and Haran, three. And the sons of Shelomith [inistead of Shimei] were Jahath, Zina, and Jeaush, and Beriahb these four were the sons of Shelomith [or perhaps Shimei might here remain]. And Jahath was the chief," etc. Both Keil and Zockler (in Lange), however, regard Laadan as different from Libni, and make out two distinct-persons here by the name of Shimei. See No. 3, below.
2. A Reubenite, son of Gog and father of Micah (1 Chronicles 5:4). B.C. post 1874.
3. A Gershonite Levite, son of Jahath and father of Zimnah in the ancestry of Asaph (1 Chronicles 6:42 [Heb. 27]). B.C. cir. 1695. Some have regarded him as identical with the younger son of Gershon (Heb. 27:17 [Hebrews 2]), but the other particulars do not allow this.
4. A Simeonite, son of Zacchur, and father of sixteen sons and six daughters (1 Chronicles 4:26-27). B.C. ante 1618. He was perhaps the same with SHEMAIAH (See SHEMAIAH) (q.v.) the ancestor of Ziza (1 Chronicles 4:37).
5. One of the heads of the families of Beanjamites resident at Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 8:21; A. V. "Shimhi"); apparently the same with SHEMA (See SHEMA) (q.v.) the son, of Elpaal (1 Chronicles 8:13). B.C. post 1618.
6. A citizen of Ramah appointed overseer of David's vineyards (1 Chronicles 27:27). B.C. 1043.
7. The son of Gera; Benjamite of the house of Saul, who lived at Bahurim during the reign of David, and is associated with some of the most painful transactions of the reign of that monarch and his successor. His residence there agrees with the other notices of the place, as if a marked spot on the way to and from the Jordan valley to Jerusalem, and just within the border of Benjamin. (See BAHURIM). He may have received the unfortunate Phaltiel after his separation from Michal (2 Samuel 3:16).
1. When David and his suite were seen descending the long defile from Olivet on his. flight from. Absalom (2 Samuel 16:5-13), the whole feeling of the clan of Benjamin burst forth without restraint in the person of Shimei. His house apparently was separated from the road by a deep valley, yet not so far as that anything that he did or said could not be distinctly heard. He ran along the ridge, cursing, throwing stones at the king and his companions, and when he came to a patch of dust on the dry hill-side, taking it up and throwing it over them. Abishai was so irritated that, but for David's remonstrance, he would have darted across the ravine (2 Samuel 16:9) and torn or cut off his head. The whole conversation is remarkable, as showing what may almost be called the slang terms of abuse prevalent in the two rival courts. The cant name for David in Shimei's mouth is the man of blood," twice emphatically repeated: " Come out, come out, thou man of blood Aman of blood art thou" (16:7, 8). It seems to lave been derived from the slaughter of the sons of Saul (ch. 21), or generally perhaps from Davids predatory, warlike life (comp. 1 Chronicles 22:8). The cant name for a Benjamite in Abishai's mouth was "a dead dog" (2 Samuel 16:9; comp. Abner's expression, "Am I a dog's head?" 3:8). "Man of Belial" also appears to have been a favorite term on both sides (16:7; 20:1). The royal party passed on, Shimei following them with his stones and curses: as long as they were in sight. (See Lorenz, Doe Crimine: Simei in Davidea [Strasb. 1749].) B.C. 1023....
2. The next meeting was very different. The king was now returning from his successful campaign. Just as he was crossing the Jordan, in the ferry-boat or on the bridge (2 Samuel 19:18; Sept. διαβαίνοντος ; Josephus, A nt. 7, 5:2, 4, ἐπὶ τὴν γεφύραν ), the first person to welcome him on the western, or perhaps even on the eastern, side was: He threw himself at David's feet in abject penitence. "He was the first," he said, "of all the house of Joseph," thus indicating the close political alliance between Benjamin and Ephraim. Another altercation ensued between David and Abishai, which ended in David's guaranteeing Shimei's life with an oath (2 Samuel 19:18-23) in' consideration of the general jubilee and amnesty of the return. B.C. 1023.
3. But the king's suspicions were not set to rest by this submission; and on his death-bed he recalls the whole scene to the recollection of his son Solomon. Shimei's head was now white with age (1 Kings 2:9), and he was living in the favor of the court at Jerusalem (1 Kings 2:8). B.C. 1013. Solomon gave him notice that from henceforth he must consider himself confined to the walls of Jerusalem on pain of death. The Kidron, which divided him from the road to his old residence at Bahurim. was not to be crossed. He was to build a house in Jerusalem (ii, 36, 37). For three years the engagement was kept. At the end of that time, for the purpose of capturing two slaves who had escaped to Gath, he went out on his ass and made his journey successfully (2:40). On his return, the king took him at his word, and he was slain by Bensaiah (ii, 41-46). B.C. 1009. ' In the sacred historian, and still more in Josephus "(Ant. 8:1, 5), great stress is laid on Shimei's having broken his oath to remain at home; so that his death is regarded as a judgment, not only for his previous treason, but for his recent sacrilege. (See Ortlob, De Processu Sol, contra Shimei '[Lips. 1719].) (See DAVID); (See SOLOMON).
8. One of the faithful adherents of Solomon at the time of Adonijah's: usurpation (1 Kings 1:8). B.C. 1015. Probably he is: the same as Shimei the son of Elah, Solomon's commissariat officer in Benjamin (4:18). Ewald, however, suggests (Gesch. iii, 266) that he :may have been the same with Shimeah or Shammah, David's brother (1 Samuel 16:9; 2 Samuel 21:21). From the mention which is made of "the mighty men" in the same verse, one might be tempted to conclude that Shimei is the same with Shammah the Hararite (2 . Samuel 23 ).
9. The head of the tenth division of twelve musicians severally in the distribution by David (1 Chronicles 25:17). B.C. 1013. It would seem that he was one of the sons of Jeduthun, for a name is necessary in 1 Chronicles 25:3. to complete the number six there given, and all the other lists are full. of the Temple under Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:14). B.C. 726.
11. A Levite who in connection, with his brother Cononiah the Levite had charge of the offerings, the tithes, and the dedicated things in the renewal under Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 31:12-13). B.C. 726. He was probably the same as the preceding.
12. A son of Pedaiah and brother of Zerubbabel (q.v.), but whether by the same mother or not is doubtful (1 Chronicles 3:19). B.C. 1536.
13. A Benjamite, "son" of Kish and "father" of Jair in Mordecai's ancestry (Esther 2:5).' B.C. ante 479.
14. A Levite who divorced his Gentile wife. after the captivity (Ezra 10:23). B.C. 459.
15. An Israelite of "the sons of Hashum" who did the same (Ezra 10:33). B.C. 459.
16. An Israelite of the. sons of Bani who did the same (Ezra 10:38). B.C. 459.
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Shimei'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/s/shimei.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
