Who was Shimei in the Bible?

Shimei was a man from Ramah who served as the overseer of King David's vineyards (1 Chronicles 27:27). He was a royal official responsible for managing the king's agricultural assets, specifically the vineyards, which were a vital part of the kingdom's economy.

What was Shimei's role in King David's administration?

Shimei held the position of overseer of the vineyards, a significant administrative role. He is listed among the officials in charge of King David's royal treasuries and agricultural holdings, indicating he was a trusted steward of the king's property (1 Chronicles 27:25-31).

Why is Shimei mentioned in the Bible?

Shimei is mentioned to illustrate the detailed organization and stewardship of King David's prosperous kingdom. His inclusion shows that God values faithful service in all roles, not just prominent leadership positions, and provides a historical record of the kingdom's administration.

Shimei

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleKing

Shimei from Ramah was the overseer of King David's vineyards.

Shimei

Biography

Shimei from Ramah was a Benjamite appointed by King David as the official overseer of the royal vineyards, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 27:27. David's administrative organization included designated stewards for each aspect of the royal agricultural estate, fields, storehouses, flocks, herds, olive and sycamore groves, and vineyards. Shimei the Ramathite held responsibility for the vineyards specifically, suggesting he was a skilled and trusted agricultural administrator. His designation as 'the Ramathite' locates him geographically in Ramah, a Benjamite town with significant biblical associations as the hometown of Samuel. Though Scripture records no further details of his personal biography, his inclusion in David's administrative roster indicates he was a man of recognized competence and royal confidence.

Significance

Shimei the Ramathite's role as vineyard overseer in David's royal administration reflects the comprehensive stewardship theology embedded in Israel's monarchic life. David's careful appointment of qualified individuals to manage every domain of the kingdom's agricultural wealth illustrates the biblical principle that faithful governance extends to the stewardship of material resources as an act of covenant responsibility. The vineyard, a recurring symbol of Israel itself in prophetic literature (Isaiah 5:1–7), lends additional resonance to Shimei's role: those entrusted with actual vineyards embody the broader call to tend what God has given. Shimei's quiet, competent service in an administrative capacity represents the unheralded faithfulness that sustains the structures within which God's covenant purposes are worked out.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 27:27

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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