Shimei

Shimei (meaning: famous or renowned) is one of the most frequently occurring names in the Old Testament, borne by more than a dozen individuals. The most notable is Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of the house of Saul who cursed David with bitter words and threw stones at the king as he fled Jerusalem during Absalom's revolt, calling him a bloody man (2 Samuel 16:5–13). David restrained his men from killing Shimei and received the cursing with notable humility as potentially God's will.

When David returned victorious, Shimei rushed to meet him, confessed his sin, and begged forgiveness. David swore not to put him to death (2 Samuel 19:16–23), but on his deathbed instructed Solomon to deal wisely with Shimei, not holding him guiltless (1 Kings 2:8–9). Solomon required Shimei to remain in Jerusalem under house arrest; when he violated the restriction to pursue runaway servants to Gath, Solomon had him executed (1 Kings 2:36–46). Other Shimeis include a son of Gershon (Numbers 3:18), a relative of Saul who was loyal to David (1 Chronicles 8:21), and an officer over David's vineyards (1 Chronicles 27:27).