Benaiah

built up by Jehovah.

son of the Lord

(made by the Lord ).

1. The son of Jehoiada the chief priest, ( 1 Chronicles 27:5 ) of the tribe of Levi, though a native of Kabzeel, ( 2 Samuel 23:20 ) set by David, ( 1 Chronicles 11:25 ) over his body-guard. ( 2 Samuel 8:18 ; 20:23 ; 1 Kings 1:38 ; 1 Chronicles 18:17 ) One of the mighty men. ( 2 Samuel 23:22 2 Samuel 23:23 ; 1 Chronicles 11:25 ; 27:6 ) The exploits which gave him this rank are narrated in ( 2 Samuel 28:20 2 Samuel 28:21 ; 1 Chronicles 11:22 ) He was captain of the host for the third month. ( 1 Chronicles 27:5 ) Benaiah remained faithful to Solomon during Adonijahs attempt on the crown, ( 1 Kings 1:8 1 Kings 1:10 1 Kings 1:32 1 Kings 1:38 1 Kings 1:44 ) and was raised unto the place of Joab as commander-in-chief of the whole army. ( 1 Kings 2:35 ; 4:4 ) (B.C. 1005.)
2. Benaiah the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite, one of Davids thirty mighty men, ( 2 Samuel 23:30 ; 1 Chronicles 11:31 ) and the captain of the eleventh monthly course. ( 1 Chronicles 27:14 )
3. A Levite in the time of David, who "played with a psaltry on Alamoth." ( 1 Chronicles 15:18 1 Chronicles 15:20 ; 16:5 )
4. A priest in the time of David, appointed to blow the trumpet before the ark. ( 1 Chronicles 15:24 ; 16:6 )
5. A Levite of the sons of Asaph. ( 2 Chronicles 20:14 )
6. A Levite in the time of Hezekiah. ( 2 Chronicles 31:13 )
7. One of the "princes" of the families of Simeon. ( 1 Chronicles 4:36 )
8. Four laymen in the time of Ezra who had taken strange wives. ( Ezra 10:25 Ezra 10:30 Ezra 10:35 Ezra 10:43 )
9. The father of Pelatiah. ( Ezekiel 11:1 Ezekiel 11:13 )

BENAIAH

be-na'-ya, be-ni'-a (benayah, benayahu, "Yahweh has built." Compare HPN, 182, 265, 268):

(1) Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada of Kabzeel (compare Joshua 15:21), was a man of "mighty deeds" and was more honorable than any of the mighty men of David except the three chiefs. Therefore David made him his chief counselor (2 Samuel 23:23 m; month compare 1 Chronicles 27:34 where the order of names seems to be reversed) and set him over the Cherethites (compare Carites, 2 Kings 11:4 and margin) and Pelethites and he was made the 3rd captain of the host and chief over the course of the 3rd (1 Chronicles 27:5; 2 Samuel 8:18; 20:23; 1 Chronicles 18:17; 2 Samuel 23:20; 11:22). Being a true friend of David (compare 2 Samuel 15:18) he did not take part in the usurpation of Adonijah (1 Kings 1:8,10,26), and was therefore with others chosen by the king to proclaim Solomon king over Israel (1 Kings 1:32) and later by Solomon to execute Adonijah (1 Kings 2:25), Joab (1 Kings 2:29), and Shimei (1 Kings 2:46). In recognition of his services Solomon appointed him over the host in Joab's place (1 Kings 2:35; 4:4).

(2) Benaiah, a Pirathonite (compare Judges 12:13,15), was one of David's 30 mighty men (2 Samuel 23:30; 1 Chronicles 11:31). He was captain over the course of the 11th month numbering 24,000 (1 Chronicles 27:14).

(3) A ruler of the house of Simeon (1 Chronicles 4:36).

(4) A Levite of second degree appointed as singer (1 Chronicles 15:18) with "psalteries Set to Alamoth" (1 Chronicles 15:20; 16:5).

(5) A priest appointed "to blow the trumpet before the ark of God" (1 Chronicles 15:24; 16:6).

(6) The father of Jehoiada (1 Chronicles 27:34), but see (1) above.

(7) An ancestor of Jahaziel of the house of Asaph (2 Chronicles 20:14).

(8) An overseer in the service of Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 31:13).

(9, 10, 11, 12) Four different men of Israel who had taken "strange wives" (Ezra 10:25,30,35,43).

(13) The father of Pelatiah who was seen by Ezekiel in his vision (Ezekiel 11:1,13).

A. L. Breslich