The Shimeites are a group of individuals in the Bible who are descendants of Shimei, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. Shimei is most notably recognized for his interactions with King David during the latter's reign. The Shimeites, therefore, are often associated with the tribe of Benjamin and have a significant role in the historical and genealogical records of Israel.

Genealogy and Background

Shimei, the progenitor of the Shimeites, was the son of Gera, a Benjamite. He is introduced in the context of King David's flight from Jerusalem during Absalom's rebellion. Shimei is described as a man from the same clan as Saul, the first king of Israel, which places him within the broader narrative of the Benjamite lineage. The tribe of Benjamin, being the smallest of the tribes, held a unique position in Israel's history, often caught between loyalty to the house of Saul and the divinely anointed house of David.

Biblical Account of Shimei

The most prominent biblical account of Shimei is found in 2 Samuel 16:5-13. As David fled from Absalom, Shimei cursed him and threw stones at him and his servants. Shimei accused David of being a "man of blood" and claimed that the LORD was avenging the blood of the house of Saul. Despite the provocation, David restrained his men from retaliating against Shimei, suggesting that the LORD had allowed Shimei to curse him.

Later, in 2 Samuel 19:16-23, after Absalom's defeat, Shimei hurried to meet David as he returned to Jerusalem. He confessed his wrongdoing and sought David's forgiveness. David, demonstrating mercy, spared Shimei's life, swearing an oath that he would not put him to death.

Shimei's Legacy and the Shimeites

The legacy of Shimei and his descendants, the Shimeites, is further mentioned in the context of King Solomon's reign. In 1 Kings 2:8-9, David, on his deathbed, instructed Solomon to deal wisely with Shimei, reminding him of Shimei's actions. Solomon initially spared Shimei, imposing a condition that he must not leave Jerusalem. However, when Shimei violated this condition, Solomon ordered his execution, fulfilling David's earlier warning.

The Shimeites, as descendants of Shimei, are thus linked to this narrative of conflict, mercy, and eventual justice. They are part of the broader tapestry of the tribe of Benjamin, which played a crucial role in the history of Israel, especially during the transition from the rule of Saul to that of David.

Role in Israel's History

The Shimeites, as part of the Benjamite tribe, are emblematic of the complex relationships and loyalties within the tribes of Israel. The tribe of Benjamin, despite its small size, produced significant figures in Israel's history, including King Saul and the Apostle Paul in the New Testament. The Shimeites, through their ancestor Shimei, are a reminder of the tensions and reconciliations that characterized the early monarchy period in Israel.

References in Genealogies

The genealogical records in 1 Chronicles 4:27 and 1 Chronicles 23:9 mention the Shimeites, indicating their continued presence and integration within the tribes of Israel. These records serve to affirm the Shimeites' place within the broader narrative of Israel's history and their contribution to the nation's development.

In summary, the Shimeites, as descendants of Shimei, are a testament to the intricate and often tumultuous history of the tribe of Benjamin and its interactions with the house of David. Their account is one of conflict, repentance, and the enduring legacy of tribal affiliations in the biblical narrative.8097. Shimi -- descendant of Shimei
... Shimi. 8098 . descendant of Shimei. Transliteration: Shimi Phonetic Spelling:
(shim-ee') Short Definition: Shimeites. ... of Shimei NASB Word Usage Shimeites (2). ...
/hebrew/8097.htm - 6kShimeites (2 Occurrences)
...Shimeites (2 Occurrences). Numbers 3:21 Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites,
and the family of the Shimeites: these are the families of the Gershonites. ...
/s/shimeites.htm - 7k

Shim'e-ites (2 Occurrences)
Shim'e-ites. Shimeites, Shim'e-ites. Shimeon . Multi-Version Concordance
Shim'e-ites (2 Occurrences). ... Shimeites, Shim'e-ites. Shimeon . Reference Bible
/s/shim'e-ites.htm - 6k

Shimei (43 Occurrences)
... (11.) Another Levite (Ezra 10:23). "The family of Shimei" (Zechariah 12:13; RV,
"the family of the Shimeites") were the descendants of Shimei (1). Int. ...
/s/shimei.htm - 30k

Libnites (2 Occurrences)
... Libnites (2 Occurrences). Numbers 3:21 Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites,
and the family of the Shimeites: these are the families of the Gershonites. ...
/l/libnites.htm - 7k

Libnite (2 Occurrences)
... Libnite (2 Occurrences). Numbers 3:21 Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites,
and the family of the Shimeites: these are the families of the Gershonites. ...
/l/libnite.htm - 7k

Gershonites (17 Occurrences)
... Numbers 3:21 Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of
the Shimeites: these are the families of the Gershonites. ...
/g/gershonites.htm - 14k

Gershon (23 Occurrences)
... Numbers 3:21 Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of
the Shimeites: these are the families of the Gershonites. ...
/g/gershon.htm - 16k

Gershonite (14 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Numbers 3:21 Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family
of the Shimeites: these are the families of the Gershonites. ...
/g/gershonite.htm - 10k

Shim'ei's (1 Occurrence)
Shim'ei's. Shimei's, Shim'ei's. Shimeites . ... And they told Shimei, saying: 'Behold,
thy servants are in Gath.' (See RSV). Shimei's, Shim'ei's. Shimeites > ...
/s/shim'e-i's.htm - 6k

Clans (120 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Numbers 3:21 Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family
of the Shimeites: these are the families of the Gershonites. (See NIV). ...
/c/clans.htm - 34k

Who was Shimei in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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