The BibleGospel Companion

Bichri

בִּכְרִי · bikh.ri · H1075בֵּרִים · be.ri · H1276“first-born; first fruits” Hitchcock's 18699 mentions, all in 2 Samuel

Who he was

Bichri was a Benjamite mentioned as the father of Sheba, a man who led a rebellion against King David (2Sa. 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!" (2Sa. 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 (2Sa. 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.

Article: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Family

ChildrenSheba
Family relations: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Every mention

9 references, counted from STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0 · verse text: World English Bible (public domain)

2 Samuel 9 mentions

2 Samuel 20:1There 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…2 Samuel 20:2So 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 20:6David 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…2 Samuel 20:7Joab’s men went out after him with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men; and they went out of Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.2 Samuel 20:10But 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…2 Samuel 20:13When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.2 Samuel 20:14He went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, to Beth Maacah, and all the Berites. They were gathered together, and went also after him.2 Samuel 20:21The matter is not so. But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against the king, even against David. Just deliver him, and I will…2 Samuel 20:22Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. They cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. He blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city…

What the dictionary says

(first-born), (2 Samuel 20:1) an ancestor of Sheba.

Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
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Sources