Shimei
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
—the name of several persons. (1) (2 Sam. 16:5 and elsewhere) son of Gera, a Benjaminite of Saul’s house. When David fled Jerusalem during Absalom’s revolt, Shimei met him with stones and bitter curses. Abishai asked leave to kill him, but David restrained him, saying, “Let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him,” and hoping that the LORD might repay good for his present affliction. When David returned in triumph, Shimei was among the first to meet him, fell at his feet, confessed his sin, and received the king’s promise, “Thou shalt not die” (2 Sam. 19:16–23).