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.
Benaiah. [Benai'ah] 1. Son of Jehoiada, and officer in David's and Solomon's army, perhaps chief of their body-guard. 2 Sam. 8:18; 2 Sam. 20:23; 2 Sam. 23:20, 22; 1 Kings 1:8-44; 1 Kings 2:25-46; 1 Kings 4:4; 1 Chr. 11:24; 1 Chr. 18:17; 1 Chr. 27:5-6. 2. One of David's valiant men, a Pirathonite. 2 Sam. 23:30; 1 Chr. 11:31; 1 Chr. 27:14. 3. Prince of a family of Simeon. 1 Chr. 4:36. 4. Levite and 'porter,' 1 Chr. 15:18, 20; 1 Chr. 16:5. 5. Priest who blew the trumpet before the ark. 1 Chr. 15:24; 1 Chr. 16:6. 6. Father of Jehoiada, one of David's counsellors. 1 Chr. 27:34. 7. Levite descendant of Asaph. 2 Chr. 20:14. 8. Levite, overseer of the temple-offerings. 2 Chr. 31:13. 9. Father of Pelatiah, prince of Judah. Ezek. 11:1, 13. 10-13. Four who had married strange wives. Ezra 10:25, 30, 35, 43.
Ben ai’ah - Built of Jehovah