Benaiah

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

("whom Jehovah builds up".) Son of Jehoiada, the chief priest ( 1 Chronicles 27:5), so of the tribe of Levi, though of Kabzeel in S. Judah ( 2 Samuel 23:20;  1 Chronicles 11:22;  1 Chronicles 11:25;  1 Chronicles 18:17;  1 Chronicles 27:6); set over David's body guard, the Cherethites and Pelethites ( 2 Samuel 8:18;  2 Samuel 20:23;  2 Samuel 23:20;  2 Samuel 23:22-23;  1 Kings 1:38). Midway between the first three of "the mighty men" ( Gibborim ), and the 30 "valiant men of the armies." "Mighty among the 30, and above the 30."

He earned his position by slaying "two lion-like men of Moab," and "a lion in a pit in a snowy day," and "an Egyptian of great stature, a goodly man ( 2 Samuel 23:21), five cubits high," out of whose hand he plucked the spear like a weaver's beam, "and slew him with his own spear" ( 1 Chronicles 11:22-23). Having remained faithful in Adonijah's rebellion ( 1 Kings 1:8;  1 Kings 1:10;  1 Kings 1:32-38;  1 Kings 1:44), and having by Solomon's command slain him and Joab, he was promoted to the latter's post as commander in chief ( 1 Kings 2:25;  1 Kings 2:34-35;  1 Kings 4:4). Jehoiada, father of Benaiah, was next after Ahithophel in David's court ( 1 Chronicles 27:34). Eight others of the name are mentioned.

1. One of David's 30 "valiant men of the armies," the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite, captain of the 11th monthly course ( 2 Samuel 23:30;  1 Chronicles 11:31;  1 Chronicles 27:14).

2. A Levite of David's time who "played with a psaltery on alamoth" ( 1 Chronicles 15:18-20;  1 Chronicles 16:5).

3. A priest in David's time who blew the trumpet before the ark ( 1 Chronicles 15:24;  1 Chronicles 16:6).

4. A Levite of the sons of Asaph ( 2 Chronicles 20:14).

5. A Levite overseer of offerings, under Hezekiah ( 2 Chronicles 31:13).

6. A prince in the family of Simeon ( 1 Chronicles 4:36).

7. Four who took strange wives ( Ezra 10:25;  Ezra 10:30;  Ezra 10:35;  Ezra 10:43).

8. Father of Pelatiah, a prince of the people, who gave presumptuous counsel against Ezekiel's inspired warnings, and was visited with death (Ezekiel 11).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Bena'iah. (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;  2 Samuel 20:23;  1 Kings 1:38;  1 Chronicles 18:17.

One of the mighty men.  2 Samuel 23:22-23;  1 Chronicles 11:25;  1 Chronicles 27:6. The exploits which gave him this rank are narrated in  2 Samuel 23:20-21;  1 Chronicles 11:22. He was captain of the host for the third month.  1 Chronicles 27:5. Benaiah remained faithful to Solomon, during Adonijah's 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;  1 Kings 4:4. (B.C. 1005).

2. Benaiah, the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite, one of David's 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;  1 Chronicles 16:5.

4. A priest, in the time of David, appointed to blow the trumpet, before the ark.  1 Chronicles 15:24;  1 Chronicles 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.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

BENAIAH (‘Jah hath built’). 1 . A brave soldier from Kabzeel in Judah (  2 Samuel 23:20 ff.), captain of David’s bodyguard (  2 Samuel 8:18;   2 Samuel 20:23 ). He became a partisan of Solomon’s and carried’ the mighty men,’ ‘the Cherethites and Pelethites,’ with him (  1 Kings 1:7-8;   1 Kings 1:38 ). He played an important role in the young king’s coronation (  1 Kings 1:38;   1 Kings 1:44 ), and was subsequently ordered to dispatch Joab, whose place as commander-in-chief he then filled (  1 Kings 2:28-35 ). 2 . One of the thirty who formed the second class of David’s heroes (  2 Samuel 23:22 ). He came from Pirathon in Mt. Ephraim (  2 Samuel 23:30 , cf.   Judges 12:15 ).   1 Chronicles 27:14 assigns to him the command of the course for the eleventh month, with twenty-four thousand Ephraimites under him. 3 . Some ten obscure persons of this name appear in   1 Chronicles 4:36;   1 Chronicles 15:18;   1 Chronicles 15:20;   1 Chronicles 15:24;   1 Chronicles 16:5-6 ,   2 Chronicles 20:14;   2 Chronicles 31:13 ,   Ezra 10:25;   Ezra 10:30;   Ezra 10:35;   Ezra 10:43 ,   Ezekiel 11:1;   Ezekiel 11:13 .

J. Taylor.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

1. Son of Jehoiada, and officer in David's and Solomon's army, perhaps chief of their body-guard.  2 Samuel 8:18;  2 Samuel 20:23;  2 Samuel 23:20,22;  1 Kings 1:8-44;  1 Kings 2:25-46;  1 Kings 4:4;  1 Chronicles 11:24;  1 Chronicles 18:17;  1 Chronicles 27:5,6 .

2. One of David's valiant men, a Pirathonite.  2 Samuel 23:30;  1 Chronicles 11:31;  1 Chronicles 27:14 .

3. Prince of a family of Simeon.  1 Chronicles 4:36 .

4. Levite and 'porter,'  1 Chronicles 15:18,20;  1 Chronicles 16:5 .

5. Priest who blew the trumpet before the ark.  1 Chronicles 15:24;  1 Chronicles 16:6 .

6. Father of Jehoiada, one of David's counsellors.  1 Chronicles 27:34 .

7. Levite descendant of Asaph.  2 Chronicles 20:14 .

8. Levite, overseer of the temple-offerings.  2 Chronicles 31:13 .

9. Father of Pelatiah, prince of Judah.  Ezekiel 11:1,13 .

10-13. Four who had married strange wives.  Ezra 10:25,30,35,43 .

Holman Bible Dictionary

 2 Samuel 8:18 2 Samuel 20:23 2 Samuel 23:20-23 2 Samuel 20:23 1 Kings 1:8-26 1 Kings 1:32-47 1 Kings 2:25-46 1 Kings 4:4 2 2 Samuel 23:30 3 1 Chronicles 4:36 1 Chronicles 15:18 1 Chronicles 15:24 2 Chronicles 20:14 2 Chronicles 31:13 Ezekiel 11:1 Ezra 10:1

Easton's Bible Dictionary

The son of Jeiel ( 2 Chronicles 20:14 ).

Copyright Statement These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., DD Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.

Bibliography Information Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Benaiah'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/b/benaiah.html. 1897.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Son of Jehoiada, and commander of David's bodyguards. Several instances of his rare bravery are recorded,  2 Samuel 8:18   2 Samuel 23:20-23 . He adhered to Solomon when some favored the pretensions of Adonijah, slew Joab at the command of Solomon, and was made general of the army in his stead,  1 Kings 1:36   2:29-35 .

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Benaiah ( Be-Nâ'Yah ). Whom Jehovah Has Built. One of David's distinguished officers, who succeeded, after Joab's death, to the command of the Hebrew army.  2 Samuel 8:18;  2 Samuel 23:20-23. There are twelve persons of this name mentioned in the Bible.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Heb. Benayah', בְּנָיָה , Built [i.e. Made or Sustained ] by Jehovah,  2 Samuel 20:23;  1 Chronicles 4:36;  1 Chronicles 11:22;  1 Chronicles 11:31;  1 Chronicles 27:14;  2 Chronicles 20:14;  Ezra 10:25;  Ezra 10:30;  Ezra 10:35;  Ezra 10:43;  Ezekiel 11:23; elsewhere and oftener in the prolonged form, בְּנָיָהוּ , Benaya ' Hu; Sept. generally [also Josephus, Ant. 7, 11, 8] Βαναίας , in Chron. occasionally v. r. Βαναία , and in Ezra Βαναϊ v Α , rarely any other v. r., e.g. Βαναϊ v Ας , Βαναϊ v ), the name of a large number of men in the O.T.

1. The son of Jehoiada a chief-priest ( 1 Chronicles 27:5), and therefore of the tribe of Levi, though a native of Kabzeel ( 2 Samuel 23:20;  1 Chronicles 11:22), in the south of Judah; set by David ( 1 Chronicles 11:24) over his body-guard of Cherethites and Pelethites ( 2 Samuel 8:18;  1 Kings 1:38;  1 Chronicles 18:17;  2 Samuel 20:23), and occupying a middle rank between the first three of the Gibborim, or "mighty men," and the thirty "valiant men of the armies" ( 2 Samuel 23:22;  2 Samuel 23:30;  1 Chronicles 11:24;  1 Chronicles 27:6; and see Kennicott, Diss. p. 177). The exploits which gave him this rank are narrated in  2 Samuel 23:20-21;  1 Chronicles 11:22 : he overcame two Moabitish champions ("lions of God"), slew an Egyptian giant with his own spear, and went down into an exhausted cistern and destroyed a lion which had fallen into it when covered with snow. He was captain of the host for the third month ( 1 Chronicles 27:5). B.C. 1046. Benaiah remained faithful to Solomon during Adonijah's attempt on the crown ( 1 Kings 1:8;  1 Kings 1:10;  1 Kings 1:26), a matter in which he took part in his official capacity as commander of the king's body-guard ( 1 Kings 1:32;  1 Kings 1:36;  1 Kings 1:38;  1 Kings 1:44); and after Adonijah and Joab had both been put to death by his hand ( 1 Kings 2:25;  1 Kings 2:29-30;  1 Kings 2:34), as well as Shimei ( 1 Kings 2:46), he was raised by Solomon into the place of Joab as commander-in-chief of the whole army (1 Kings 2, 35; 4, 4). B.C. 1015. (See David).

Benaiah appears to have had a son called, after his grandfather, Jehoiada, who succeeded Ahithophel about the person of the king ( 1 Chronicles 27:34). But this is possibly a copyist's mistake for "Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada." — Smith, s.v.

2. A Pirathonite of the tribe of Ephraim, one of David's thirty mighty men ( 2 Samuel 23:30;  1 Chronicles 11:31), and the captain of the eleventh monthly course ( 1 Chronicles 27:14). B.C. 1044. (See David).

3. A Levite in the time of David, who "played with a psaltery on Alamoth" at the removal of the ark ( 1 Chronicles 15:18;  1 Chronicles 15:20;  1 Chronicles 16:5). B.C. 1043.

4. A priest in the time of David, appointed to blow the trumpet before the ark when brought to Jerusalem ( 1 Chronicles 15:24;  1 Chronicles 16:6). B.C. 1043.

5. The son of Jeiel, and father of Zechariah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph ( 2 Chronicles 20:14). B.C. considerably ante 890.

6. A Levite in the time of Hezekiah, one of the "overseers ( פְּקַידַים ) of offerings" ( 2 Chronicles 31:13). B.C. 726.

7. One of the "princes" ( נְשַׂיאַים ) of the families of Simeon who dispossessed the Amalekites from the pasture-grounds of Gedor ( 1 Chronicles 4:36). B.C. cir. 713.

8. The father of Pelatiah, which latter was "a prince of the people" in the time of Ezekiel ( Ezekiel 11:1;  Ezekiel 11:13). B.C. ante 571.

9. One of the "sons" of Parosh, who divorced his Gentile wife after the return from Babylon ( Ezra 10:25). B.C. 458.

10. Another Israelite, of the "sons" of Pahathmoab, who did the same ( Ezra 10:30). B.C. 458.

11. Another, of the "sons" of Bani, who did likewise ( Ezra 10:35). B.C. 458.

12. A fourth, of the "sons" of Nebo, who did the same ( Ezra 10:43). B.C. 458.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

bē̇ - nā´ya , bē̇ - nı̄´a ( בּניה , benāyāh , בּניהוּ , benāyāhū , "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; 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 month (  1 Chronicles 27:5 f;   2 Samuel 8:18;  2 Samuel 20:23;  1 Chronicles 18:17;  2 Samuel 23:20;  2 Samuel 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 ,  1 Kings 1:10 ,  1 Kings 1:26 ), 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;  1 Kings 4:4 ).

(2) Benaiah, a Pirathonite (compare  Judges 12:13 ,  Judges 12:15 ), 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 L evite of second degree appointed as singer ( 1 Chronicles 15:18 ) with "psalteries Set to Alamoth" ( 1 Chronicles 15:20;  1 Chronicles 16:5 ).

(5) A priest appointed "to blow the trumpet before the ark of God" ( 1 Chronicles 15:24;  1 Chronicles 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 ,  Ezra 10:30 ,  Ezra 10:35 ,  Ezra 10:43 ).

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

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Benai´ah, son of Jehoiada, and commander of David's guard (the Cherethites and Pelethites,  2 Samuel 8:18). His exploits were celebrated in Israel. He overcame two Moabitish champions ('lions of God'), slew an Egyptian giant with his own spear, and went down into an exhausted cistern and destroyed a lion which had fallen into it when covered with snow ( 2 Samuel 23:21). Benaiah (doubtless with the guard he commanded) adhered to Solomon when Joab and others attempted to set up Adonijah; and when that attempt failed, he, as belonged to his office, was sent to put Joab to death, after which he was appointed commander in chief in his place ( 1 Kings 1:36;  1 Kings 2:29). Some persons named Benaiah returned from the exile with Ezra ( Ezra 10:25;  Ezra 10:30;  Ezra 10:35;  Ezra 10:43).