Shimri was a Benjaminite who joined David while he was in Ziklag, fleeing from King Saul. He was among the brave warriors who came to David and supported him before he became king over all Israel. The name Shimri means 'The Lord preserves' and also appears among those who had taken foreign wives in Ezra's time.
Key events
Joins David at Ziklag
Shimri was one of the Benjaminites who came to David at Ziklag while he still had to stay away from Saul, son of Kish. These warriors were skilled with both right and left hands in slinging stones and shooting arrows with a bow.
1These are the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still confined because of Saul son of Kish. They were among the mighty men who helped him in battle,
16These were the men who crossed the Jordan in the first month, when it was overflowing all its banks, and they drove off everyone living in the valleys, both east and west.
18David went out to meet them and said to them, "If you have come to me in peace, to help me, my heart will be joined to yours. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies, though there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers see it and judge."
Another man named Shimri is mentioned among those who had taken foreign wives and had to separate from them after returning from exile in Babylon, in accordance with Ezra's reform.