Benaiah

From BibleEncyclopedia.Net

Built up by YHWH.

(1.) The son of Jehoiada, chief priest (1Ch_27:5). He was set by David over his body-guard of Cherethites and Pelethites (2Sa_8:18; 1Ki_1:32; 1Ch_18:17). His exploits are enumerated in 2Sa_23:20, 2Sa_23:21, 2Sa_23:22; 1Ch_11:22. He remained faithful to Solomon (1Ki_1:8, 1Ki_1:10, 1Ki_1:26), by whom he was raised to the rank of commander-in-chief (1Ki_2:25, 1Ki_2:29, 1Ki_2:30, 1Ki_2:34, 1Ki_2:35; 1Ki_4:4).

(2.) 2Sa_23:30; 1Ch_11:31.

(3.) A musical Levite (1Ch_15:18, 1Ch_15:20).

(4.) A priest (1Ch_15:24; 1Ch_16:6).

(5.) The son of Jeiel (2Ch_20:14).

bē̇-nā´ya, bē̇-nī´a (בּניה, benāyāh, בּניהוּ, benāyāhū, “YHWH has built.” Compare HPN, 182, 265, 268):

(1) Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada of Kabzeel (compare Jos_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 (2Sa_23:23 m; compare 1Ch_27:34 where the order of names seems to be reversed) and set him over the Cherethites (compare Carites, 2Ki_11:4 and margin) and Pelethites and he was made the 3rd captain of the host and chief over the course of the 3rd month (1Ch_27:5 f; 2Sa_8:18; 2Sa_20:23; 1Ch_18:17; 2Sa_23:20; 2Sa_11:22). Being a true friend of David (compare 2Sa_15:18) he did not take part in the usurpation of Adonijah (1Ki_1:8, 1Ki_1:10, 1Ki_1:26), and was therefore with others chosen by the king to proclaim Solomon king over Israel (1Ki_1:32) and later by Solomon to execute Adonijah (1Ki_2:25), Joab (1Ki_2:29), and Shimei (1Ki_2:46). In recognition of his services Solomon appointed him over the host in Joab's place (1Ki_2:35; 1Ki_4:4).

(2) Benaiah, a Pirathonite (compare Jdg_12:13, Jdg_12:15), was one of David's 30 mighty men (2Sa_23:30; 1Ch_11:31). He was captain over the course of the 11th month numbering 24,000 (1Ch_27:14).

(3) A ruler of the house of Simeon (1Ch_4:36).

(4) A Levite of second degree appointed as singer (1Ch_15:18) with “psalteries Set to Alamoth” (1Ch_15:20; 1Ch_16:5).

(5) A priest appointed “to blow the trumpet before the ark of God” (1Ch_15:24; 1Ch_16:6).

(6) The father of Jehoiada (1Ch_27:34), but see (1) above.

(7) An ancestor of Jahaziel of the house of Asaph (2Ch_20:14).

(8) An overseer in the service of Hezekiah (2Ch_31:13).

(9, 10, 11, 12) Four different men of Israel who had taken “strange wives” (Ezr_10:25, Ezr_10:30, Ezr_10:35, Ezr_10:43). (13) The father of Pelatiah who was seen by Ezekiel in his vision (Eze_11:1, Eze_11:13).