1)
Does "Bnei Shimon" exclude Shimon himself?
1.
Malbim: Yes - he himself was not a head, only his sons were.
2)
Why does it say "u'Ven Shimon? u'Ven Zoches"?
1.
Malbim: For each of them, Ben was part of his name. However, Vnei Yish'i are the sons of Yish'i.
