Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 19:16

"And Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite, who was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David." — 2 Samuel 19:16 (ASV)

Shimei the son of Gera. — See Note on 2 Samuel 16:5. It is evident that Shimei was a man of influence and importance, and his accession to David at this juncture was of great value. At the same time, it is plain that Shimei himself was only a time-server, and that he was thoroughly disloyal in his heart, and only now came to David because he saw that his was “the winning cause.”