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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comFausset Bible Dictionary: Benaiah
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("whom Jehovah builds up".) Son of Jehoiada, the chief priest (), so of the tribe of Levi, though of Kabzeel in S. Judah (; ; ; ; ); set over David's body guard, the Cherethites and Pelethites (; ; ; -23; ). 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 (), five cubits high," out of whose hand he plucked the spear like a weaver's beam, "and slew him with his own spear" (-23). Having remained faithful in Adonijah's rebellion (; ; -38; ), and having by Solomon's command slain him and Joab, he was promoted to the latter's post as commander in chief (; -35; ). Jehoiada, father of Benaiah, was next after Ahithophel in David's court (). 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. A Levite of David's time who "played with a psaltery on alamoth" (-20; ).
3. A priest in David's time who blew the trumpet before the ark (; ).
4. A Levite of the sons of Asaph ().
5. A Levite overseer of offerings, under Hezekiah ().
6. A prince in the family of Simeon ().
7. Four who took strange wives (; ; ; ).
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).