Gera גֵּרָא
Benjamite; cursed David during Absalom's rebellion; later sought forgiveness.
Who is Gera in the Bible?
Gera was a Benjamite who appears in the account of Absalom's rebellion against King David in 2 Samuel 16 and 19. He is best known through his association with Shimei, a relative who cursed and threw stones at David as the king fled Jerusalem during Absalom's revolt (2 Samuel 16:5). After Absalom's defeat, Gera joined Shimei and a thousand other Benjamites in meeting David at the Jordan River to seek reconciliation and escort him back to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 19:16-18). Gera's brief appearance illustrates the shifting loyalties during Israel's civil conflict and the possibility of redemption and forgiveness even after acts of betrayal and disrespect toward God's anointed king.
Biography
Gera, a Benjamite, appears in the narrative of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David. When David was fleeing from Jerusalem due to Absalom's revolt, Gera's relative, Shimei, came out and cursed David, throwing stones and dirt at him (2Sa.16.5-8). Shimei accused David of being responsible for the bloodshed in Saul's house and claimed that God was punishing him by giving the kingdom to Absalom. David's servants wanted to kill Shimei for his disrespect, but David refused, believing that God might have sent Shimei to curse him (2Sa.16.9-14). After Absalom's defeat and death, Shimei, along with Gera and a thousand Benjamites, met David at the Jordan River to escort him back to Jerusalem (2Sa.19.16-18). Shimei fell down before David and sought forgiveness for his previous actions. David granted him mercy and promised not to put him to death (2Sa.19.18-23). However, on his deathbed, David instructed his son Solomon to deal with Shimei, considering him guilty of cursing the Lord's anointed (1Ki.2.8-9). Gera's involvement in these events highlights the complex political dynamics within Israel during David's reign and the lingering tensions between the house of David and the supporters of Saul's dynasty.
Family
In Scripture
2 biblical books2 Samuel 3 verses
- 2 Samuel 16:5
"As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses."
- 2 Samuel 19:16
"Then Shimei son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David,"
- 2 Samuel 19:18
"and crossed at the ford to carry over the king’s household and to do what was good in his sight. When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell down before the king"
1 Kings 1 verse
- 1 Kings 2:8
"Keep an eye on Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim who is with you. He called down bitter curses against me on the day I went to Mahanaim, but when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD: ‘I will never put you to the sword.’"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | גֵּרָא |