1 Kings 4:4
New International Version
Benaiah son of Jehoiada—commander in chief; Zadok and Abiathar—priests;

New Living Translation
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was commander of the army. Zadok and Abiathar were priests.

English Standard Version
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was in command of the army; Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

Berean Standard Bible
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of the army; Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

King James Bible
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:

New King James Version
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, over the army; Zadok and Abiathar, the priests;

New American Standard Bible
and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the army; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

NASB 1995
and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the army; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

NASB 1977
and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the army; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

Legacy Standard Bible
and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the army; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

Amplified Bible
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was in command of the army; Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

Christian Standard Bible
Benaiah son of Jehoiada, in charge of the army; Zadok and Abiathar, priests;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Benaiah son of Jehoiada, in charge of the army; Zadok and Abiathar, priests;

American Standard Version
and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

English Revised Version
and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[Benaiah], son of Jehoiada, was commander of the army. [Zadok] and [Abiathar] were priests.

Good News Translation
Commander of the army: Benaiah son of Jehoiada Priests: Zadok and Abiathar

International Standard Version
Jehoiada's son Benaiah commanded the army, Zadok and Abiathar served as priests,

Majority Standard Bible
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of the army; Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

NET Bible
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was commander of the army. Zadok and Abiathar were priests.

New Heart English Bible
and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the army; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

Webster's Bible Translation
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the army: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:

World English Bible
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the army; Zadok and Abiathar were priests;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Benaiah son of Jehoiada [is] over the host; and Zadok and Abiathar [are] priests;

Young's Literal Translation
and Benaiah son of Jehoiada is over the host; and Zadok and Abiathar are priests;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Benaiah, son of Jehoida, over the army: and Zadok and Abiathar, priests:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Banaias the son of Joiada, over the army: and Sadoc and Abiathar priests.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, over the army; and Zadok, and Abiathar, priests;

New American Bible
Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, in charge of the army; Zadok and Abiathar, priests;

New Revised Standard Version
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in command of the army; Zadok and Abiathar were priests;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the army; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Benaiah, son of Yawida, over the army and Tsaduq and Abiathar the Priests
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Banaeas son of Jodae over the host; and Sadoc and Abiathar were priests.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon's Princes
3Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, were secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; 4Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of the army; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; 5Azariah son of Nathan was in charge of the governors; Zabud son of Nathan was a priest and adviser to the king;…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 18:14-17
Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people: / Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; / Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was the scribe; ...

2 Samuel 8:15-18
Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people: / Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; / Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe; ...

1 Chronicles 6:8-10
Ahitub was the father of Zadok, Zadok was the father of Ahimaaz, / Ahimaaz was the father of Azariah, Azariah was the father of Johanan, / Johanan was the father of Azariah, who served as priest in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem,

1 Chronicles 24:3
With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service.

2 Samuel 20:23-26
Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; / Adoram was in charge of the forced labor; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; / Sheva was the scribe; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; ...

1 Chronicles 27:32-34
David’s uncle Jonathan was a counselor; he was a man of insight and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hachmoni attended to the sons of the king. / Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend. / Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah, then by Abiathar. Joab was the commander of the king’s army.

1 Chronicles 11:6
Now David had said, “Whoever is the first to strike down a Jebusite will become chief commander.” And Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and he became the chief.

1 Chronicles 27:5
The third army commander, as chief for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. There were 24,000 men in his division.

1 Chronicles 27:17
over Levi was Hashabiah son of Kemuel; over Aaron was Zadok;

1 Chronicles 27:22
and over Dan was Azarel son of Jeroham. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.

1 Chronicles 27:25-31
Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal storehouses. Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the fortresses. / Ezri son of Chelub was in charge of the workers in the fields who tilled the soil. / Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards. Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine vats. ...

1 Chronicles 27:33
Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.

1 Chronicles 27:34
Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah, then by Abiathar. Joab was the commander of the king’s army.

1 Chronicles 29:22
That day they ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the LORD. Then, for a second time, they designated David’s son Solomon as king, anointing him before the LORD as ruler, and Zadok as the priest.

1 Chronicles 29:24
All the officials and mighty men, as well as all of King David’s sons, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon.


Treasury of Scripture

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:

Benaiah

1 Kings 2:35
And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host: and Zadok the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar.

Zadok

1 Kings 2:26,27,35
And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted…

Jump to Previous
Abiathar Abi'athar Army Benaiah Benai'ah Chief Command Commander Head Host Jehoiada Jehoi'ada Priests Zadok
Jump to Next
Abiathar Abi'athar Army Benaiah Benai'ah Chief Command Commander Head Host Jehoiada Jehoi'ada Priests Zadok
1 Kings 4
1. Solomon's princes
7. His twelve officers for provision
20. The peace and largeness of his kingdom
22. His daily provision
26. His stable
29. His wisdom














Benaiah son of Jehoiada
Benaiah, whose name means "Yahweh has built," was a valiant warrior and loyal supporter of King David and later Solomon. His father, Jehoiada, was a priest, indicating Benaiah's noble lineage. Benaiah's role as a military leader is significant, as he was known for his bravery and loyalty, having been one of David's mighty men. His appointment reflects the importance of having trusted and capable leaders in positions of military authority, ensuring the stability and security of the kingdom.

was in charge of the army
This phrase indicates Benaiah's high-ranking position within the military hierarchy. Being "in charge" suggests a role of significant responsibility and authority, overseeing the defense and strategic operations of the kingdom. In the context of ancient Israel, the army was not only a defense mechanism but also a means of enforcing the king's rule and expanding territory. Benaiah's leadership would have been crucial in maintaining peace and order during Solomon's reign.

Zadok and Abiathar
These two individuals served as priests, a role of spiritual leadership and guidance for the nation. Zadok, from the line of Eleazar, was a faithful priest who supported Solomon's claim to the throne. Abiathar, from the line of Ithamar, initially supported Adonijah but later aligned with Solomon. The mention of both priests highlights the dual priesthood that existed during this period, reflecting the complex religious and political dynamics within the kingdom. Their roles were vital in maintaining the religious practices and ensuring the people's spiritual well-being.

were priests
The priesthood in ancient Israel was a sacred office, responsible for conducting sacrifices, teaching the law, and interceding for the people before God. The priests were mediators between God and the Israelites, playing a crucial role in the spiritual life of the nation. The presence of both Zadok and Abiathar as priests underscores the importance of religious leadership in supporting the king and guiding the people in their covenant relationship with God. Their service would have been essential in upholding the religious traditions and ensuring the nation's faithfulness to God's commandments.

(4) Zadok and Abiathar . . . the priests.--Abiathar, though disgraced and practically deposed, was still regarded theoretically as priest (much as Annas is called "high priest" in the Gospels), for the priesthood was properly for life.

Verse 4. - And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [see on 1 Kings 1:32] was [the A. V. supplies was and were quite needlessly in this and succeeding verses. This is simply a list of Solomon's princes and of the offices they discharged] over the host [cf. 1 Kings 2:35]: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests [the mention of Abiathar's name after his deposition (1 Kings 2:27, 35) has occasioned much remark, and has even led to the belief that he was subsequently pardoned and restored to office (Clericus). Theodoret remarks quite truly, τὴν ἀρχὴν ἀφείλατο οὐ τῆς ἱερωσύνης ἐγύμνωσεν, and similarly Grotius. But a simpler explanation is that his name is put down here because he had been high priest, though for a brief period only, under Solomon. See above on ver. 2.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Benaiah
וּבְנָיָ֥הוּ (ū·ḇə·nā·yā·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1141: Benaiah -- 'Yah has built up', the name of several Israelites

son
בֶן־ (ḇen-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Jehoiada
יְהוֹיָדָ֖ע (yə·hō·w·yā·ḏā‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3077: Jehoiada -- 'the LORD knows', the name of several Israelites

[was] in charge of
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the army;
הַצָּבָ֑א (haṣ·ṣā·ḇā)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

Zadok
וְצָד֥וֹק (wə·ṣā·ḏō·wq)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6659: Zadok -- the name of several Israelites

and Abiathar
וְאֶבְיָתָ֖ר (wə·’eḇ·yā·ṯār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 54: Abiathar -- 'the great one is father', an Israelite priest

[were] priests;
כֹּהֲנִֽים׃ (kō·hă·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest


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OT History: 1 Kings 4:4 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 4:3
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