Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

BENAIAH

(Heb. bĕnāyâ, bĕnāyāhû)

1. The son of Jehoiada the priest, from the southern Judean town of Kabzeel, commander over the army under Solomon. Benaiah came to prominence under David as commander of Cherethites (Cretans) and Pelethites (Philistines), the mercenary troops of David’s bodyguard (2 Sam. 8:18; 20:23; 1 Chr. 18:17). Benaiah’s deeds were renowned among David’s Thirty, although he was not part of the Three (2 Sam. 23:20-23 = 1 Chr. 11:22-25). At the end of David’s life he sided with Solomon over against Adonijah, and secured Solomon’s position on the throne (1 Kgs. 1:36-38). At Solomon’s bidding, Benaiah killed Adonijah (1 Kgs. 2:25), Joab (vv. 29-34), and Shimei (v. 46). Solomon rewarded Benaiah by placing him over all the army instead of Joab (1 Kgs. 2:35).

The Chronicler adds that Benaiah was commander over the Davidic militia of 24 thousand which served during the third month, but also suggests that he gave charge of the militia to his son Ammizabad (1 Chr. 27:5- 6). Another son, Jehoiada, succeeded Ahithophel as David’s counselor (1 Chr. 27:34).

2. An Ephraimite from Pirathon; one of David’s Thirty (2 Sam. 23:30 = 1 Chr. 11:31). He was given charge of the Davidic militia of 24 thousand that served during the eleventh month (1 Chr. 27:14).

3. One of several Simeonite chiefs who migrated to the region of Gedor during the reign of King Hezekiah (1 Chr. 4:36).

4. A Levite musician who was appointed at David’s command to play the harp before the ark (1 Chr. 15:18, 20; 16:5). He is probably the grandfather of the Levite Jahaziel, who prophesied during the reign of Jehoshaphat (2 Chr. 20:14).

5. One of the priests appointed by David to blow the trumpet before the ark (1 Chr. 15:24; 16:6).

6. A Levite who assisted in overseeing the contributions to the temple during the reign of Hezekiah (2 Chr. 31:13).

7-10. Four Israelites who divorced their foreign wives during the time of Ezra. They were descendants of Parosh, Pahath-moab, Bani, and Nebo, respectively (Ezra 10:25, 30, 35, 43).

11. The father of Pelatiah, a lay official whose death was part of Ezekiel’s vision (Ezek. 11:1, 13).

Ronald A. Simkins

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

BENAIAH

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)