2 Samuel 16:5
ESV
When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera, and as he came he cursed continually.
NIV
As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out.
NASB
When King David came to Bahurim, behold, a man was coming out from there from the family of the house of Saul, and his name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he was coming out, cursing as he came.
CSB
When King David got to Bahurim, a man belonging to the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he was yelling curses as he approached.
NLT
As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out of the village cursing them. It was Shimei son of Gera, from the same clan as Saul’s family.
KJV
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.
NKJV
Now when King David came to Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera, coming from there. He came out, cursing continuously as he came.
What does 2 Samuel 16:5 mean?
This has been one of the worst days of David's life. He's fleeing from a rebellion, trying to get his people to the safety of the Jordan River. Throughout the day, he's learned who is loyal to him and who is trying to take his life. His son Absalom is at the head of this coup. He manipulated the elders of Judah, part of the army, many from throughout the northern tribes, and even David's trusted counselor Ahithophel.But David still has allies. Besides his household servants, he has three units of Philistine warriors, the priests and Levites, and his old friend Hushai. For now, David thinks he's lost the heart of Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, but Mephibosheth's servant Ziba has just brought provisions for the journey.
The exiles have reached Bahurim, just north of the Mount of Olives. They're deep in Benjamite territory: the home territory of the former king, Saul. So, it's no great surprise when Saul's relative Shimei shows up. He blames David for Saul's death and his dynasty's fall. He curses David and throws rocks at the convoy until they're out of sight (2 Samuel 16:6–8, 13).
Not everyone from Bahurim shares Shimei's rage. Soon, Hushai will infiltrate Absalom's council and convince him to delay his attack on David. Hushai will tell the priests, Abiathar and Zadok, that Absalom will come after David. The priests will send a messenger to tell their sons. With Absalom's soldiers on their heels, Jonathan and Ahimaaz will race to Bahurim and hide in a well. A woman will hide the well with a cover and some barley seed, then redirect the soldiers. Jonathan and Ahimaaz will make it to David, and his people will safely cross the Jordan River (2 Samuel 17:15–22).
