Benai'ah, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, is best known for his role as a valiant warrior and loyal supporter of King David and later King Solomon. His account is primarily found in the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles.

Lineage and Early Life

Benai'ah was the son of Jehoiada, a valiant man from Kabzeel, a town in the southern part of Judah. His father, Jehoiada, was a priest, which suggests that Benai'ah came from a family with a strong spiritual and martial heritage. This background likely influenced his later accomplishments and his unwavering loyalty to the Davidic line.

Military Exploits

Benai'ah's reputation as a mighty warrior is well-documented in the Scriptures. He was renowned for his extraordinary feats of bravery. In 2 Samuel 23:20-21 , it is recorded: "Then Benai'ah son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down two champions of Moab, and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion. He also killed an Egyptian, a huge man. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benai'ah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear."

These acts of valor earned him a place among David's mighty men, a group of elite warriors who were instrumental in securing David's kingdom.

Role in David's Reign

Benai'ah's loyalty to King David was unwavering. He was appointed as the commander of David's bodyguard, the Cherethites and the Pelethites, a position of great trust and responsibility. His leadership and courage were crucial during the turbulent times of David's reign, including the rebellions of Absalom and Sheba.

Support for Solomon

Benai'ah's loyalty extended to David's son, Solomon. When Adonijah, another of David's sons, attempted to usurp the throne, Benai'ah remained steadfast in his support for Solomon. At David's command, Benai'ah was instrumental in securing Solomon's kingship. 1 Kings 1:38-39 states: "So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benai'ah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites, and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon mount King David’s mule, and they escorted him to Gihon. There Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon."

Execution of Justice

Under Solomon's reign, Benai'ah was tasked with executing justice against those who threatened the stability of the kingdom. He carried out the executions of Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei, as recorded in 1 Kings 2. These actions, though severe, were seen as necessary to establish Solomon's rule and fulfill David's final instructions.

Legacy

Benai'ah's legacy is that of a faithful servant and a courageous warrior. His life exemplifies loyalty, bravery, and the importance of upholding justice and righteousness. As a key figure in the transition from David to Solomon, Benai'ah played a crucial role in the establishment of the united monarchy of Israel. His account continues to inspire those who value faithfulness and courage in the service of God's chosen leaders.Benai'ah (43 Occurrences)

2 Samuel 8:18
and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief ministers.
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2 Samuel 20:23
Now Joab was over all the host of Israel; and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites;
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2 Samuel 23:20
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he smote the two altar-hearths of Moab; he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow;
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2 Samuel 23:21
He killed an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear.
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2 Samuel 23:22
These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had a name among the three mighty men.
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2 Samuel 23:30
Benaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai of Nahale-gaash;
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1 Kings 1:8
But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men that belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.
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1 Kings 1:10
but Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.
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1 Kings 1:26
But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon hath he not called.
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1 Kings 1:32
And king David said: 'Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.' And they came before the king.
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1 Kings 1:36
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said: 'Amen; so say the LORD, the God of my lord the king.
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1 Kings 1:38
So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon.
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1 Kings 1:44
And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king's mule.
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1 Kings 2:25
And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him, so that he died.
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1 Kings 2:29
And it was told king Solomon: 'Joab is fled unto the Tent of the LORD, and, behold, he is by the altar.' Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying: 'Go, fall upon him.'
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1 Kings 2:30
And Benaiah came to the Tent of the LORD, and said unto him: 'Thus saith the king: Come forth.' And he said: 'Nay; but I will die here.' And Benaiah brought back word unto the king, saying: 'Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me.'
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1 Kings 2:34
Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him; and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.
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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.
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1 Kings 2:46
So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he went out, and fell upon him, so that he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.
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1 Kings 4:4
and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;
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1 Chronicles 4:36
and Elioenai, and Jaakobah, and Jeshoaiah, and Asaiah, and Adiel, and Jesimiel, and Benaiah;
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1 Chronicles 11:22
Beniah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he smote the two altar-hearths of Moab; he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 11:23
He killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear.
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1 Chronicles 11:24
These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had a name among the three mighty men.
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1 Chronicles 11:31
Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite;
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1 Chronicles 15:18
and with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Eliphalehu, and Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, the doorkeepers.
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1 Chronicles 15:20
and Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries set to Alamoth;
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1 Chronicles 15:24
And Shebaniah, and Joshaphat, and Nethanel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God; and Obed-edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.
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1 Chronicles 16:5
Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, with psalteries and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud;
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1 Chronicles 16:6
and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God.
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1 Chronicles 18:17
and Beniah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.
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1 Chronicles 27:5
The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the priest, chief; and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
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1 Chronicles 27:6
This is that Benaiah, who was the mighty man of the thirty, and over the thirty; and of his course was Ammizabad his son.
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1 Chronicles 27:14
The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim; and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
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1 Chronicles 27:34
and after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar; and the captain of the king's host was Joab.
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2 Chronicles 20:14
Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, came the spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;
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2 Chronicles 31:13
And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by the appointment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.
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Ezra 10:25
And of Israel: of the sons of Parosh: Ramiah, and Izziah, and Malchijah, and Mijamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah.
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Ezra 10:30
And of the sons of Pahath-moab: Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, and Binnui, and Manasseh.
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Ezra 10:35
Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhu;
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Ezra 10:43
Of the sons of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, and Joel, Benaiah.
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Ezekiel 11:1
And lift me up doth a spirit, and it bringeth me in unto the east gate of the house of Jehovah, that is facing the east, and lo, at the opening of the gate twenty and five men, and I see in their midst Jaazaniah son of Azzur, and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, heads of the people.
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Ezekiel 11:13
And it cometh to pass, at my prophesying, that Pelatiah son of Benaiah is dying, and I fall on my face, and cry -- a loud voice -- and say, 'Ah, Lord Jehovah, an end Thou art making of the remnant of Israel.'
(See RSV)

Benai'ah (43 Occurrences)
Benai'ah. Benaiah, Benai'ah. Benammi . Multi-Version Concordance
Benai'ah (43 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 8:18 and Benaiah the son of ...
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Benammi (1 Occurrence)

/b/benammi.htm - 9k

Benaiah (44 Occurrences)

/b/benaiah.htm - 26k

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