Bichri בִּכְרִי
Benjamite, father of the rebel Sheba
Biography
Bichri was a Benjamite mentioned as the father of Sheba, a man who led a rebellion against King David (2 Sa. 20). After the death of Absalom, David returned to Jerusalem and faced a new challenge when Sheba, son of Bichri, rallied the Israelites against the king, saying, "We have no share in David, no part in Jesse's son!" (2 Sa. 20:1). Sheba's rebellion posed a significant threat to David's reign, prompting the king to send his forces, led by Joab, to pursue the rebel. Joab's army besieged the city of Abel-beth-maacah, where Sheba had taken refuge. The city was spared when a wise woman negotiated with Joab and convinced the inhabitants to behead Sheba, thus ending the rebellion (2 Sa. 20:14-22). The incident involving Sheba, son of Bichri, highlights the tensions and challenges faced by David in consolidating his rule over all Israel.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book2 Samuel 5 verses
- 2 Samuel 20:1
"There happened to be there a wicked fellow, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite; and he blew the trumpet, and said, “We have no portion in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to his tents, Israel!”"
- 2 Samuel 20:2
"So all the men of Israel went up from following David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah joined with their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem."
- 2 Samuel 20:6
"David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your lord’s servants, and pursue after him, lest he get himself fortified cities, and escape out of our sight.”"
- 2 Samuel 20:7
"Joab’s men went out after him, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men; and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri."
- 2 Samuel 20:10
"But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand. So he struck him with it in the body, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and didn’t strike him again; and he died. Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בִּכְרִי | H1075 |
| Group | Hebrew | בֵּרִים | H1276 |
Encyclopedia Article
ISBE 1915 (Public Domain)