Benaiah

Easton's Dictionary

Built up by Jehovah. (1.) The son of Jehoiada, chief priest (1 Chr. 27:5). He was set by David over his body-guard of Cherethites and Pelethites (2 Sam. 8:18; 1 Kings 1:32; 1 Chr. 18:17). His exploits are enumerated in 2 Sam. 23:20, 21, 22; 1 Chr. 11:22. He remained faithful to Solomon (1 Kings 1:8, 10, 26), by whom he was raised to the rank of commander-in-chief (1 Kings 2:25, 29, 30, 34, 35; 4:4).

(3.) A musical Levite (1 Chr. 15:18, 20).

(4.) A priest (1 Chr. 15:24; 16:6).

(5.) The son of Jeiel (2 Chr. 20:14).

Smith's Dictionary

(made by the Lord).

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 23:22,23; 1 Chronicles 11:25; 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 1:8,10,32,38,44) 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.) 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) A Levite in the time of David, who “played with a psaltry on Alamoth.” (1 Chronicles 15:18,20; 16:5) A priest in the time of David, appointed to blow the trumpet before the ark. (1 Chronicles 15:24; 16:6) A Levite of the sons of Asaph. (2 Chronicles 20:14) A Levite in the time of Hezekiah. (2 Chronicles 31:13) One of the “princes” of the families of Simeon. (1 Chronicles 4:36) Four laymen in the time of Ezra who had taken strange wives. (Ezra 10:25,30,35,43) The father of Pelatiah. (Ezekiel 11:1,13)

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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 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; month compare 1Ch 27:34 where the order of names seems to be reversed) and set him over the Cherethites (compare Carites, 2Ki 11:4 ff and margin) and Pelethites and he was made the 3rd captain of the host and chief over the course of the 3rd (1Ch 27:5 f; 2Sa 8:18; 20:23; 1Ch 18:17; 2Sa 23:20 ff; 11:22 ff). Being a true friend of David (compare 2Sa 15:18) he did not take part in the usurpation of Adonijah (1Ki 1:8,10,26), and was therefore with others chosen by the king to proclaim Solomon king over Israel (1Ki 1:32 ff) and later by Solomon to execute Adonijah (1Ki 2:25), Joab (1Ki 2:29 ff), and Shimei (1Ki 2:46). In recognition of his services Solomon appointed him over the host in Joab's place (1Ki 2:35; 4:4).

(2) Benaiah, a Pirathonite (compare Jud 12:13,15), 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; 16:5).

(5) A priest appointed "to blow the trumpet before the ark of God" (1Ch 15:24; 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 10:25,30,35,43).

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

A. L. Breslich