A Benjamite of
Bahurim, son of
Gera, "a man of the family of the house of
Saul" (
2 Samuel 16:5–14, 19:16–23;
1 Kings 2:8–9, 36–46). He is mentioned as one of
David's tormentors during his flight before
Absalom, and as imploring and winning David's forgiveness when the latter returned. David, however, in his dying charge to
Solomon, bade him avenge the insult (
1 Kings 2:9). Jewish scribes say that Solomon's teacher was Shimei (son of Gera), and while he lived, he prevented Solomon from marrying foreign wives. The Talmud says at Ber. 8a: "For as long as Shimei the son of Gera was alive Solomon did not marry the daughter of Pharaoh" (see also Midrash Tehillim to Ps. 3:1).