Benaiah in the Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE

be-na'-ya, be-ni'-a (benayah, benayahu, "Yahweh has built." Compare HPN, 182, 265, 268): (1) Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada of Kabzeel (compare Josh 15:21), was a man of "mighty deeds" and was more honorable than any of the mighty men of David except the three chiefs. Therefore David made him his chief counselor (2 Sam 23:23 m; compare 1 Ch 27:34 where the order of names seems to be reversed) and set him over the Cherethites (compare Carites, 2 Ki 11:4 ff and margin) and Pelethites and he was made the 3rd captain of the host and chief over the course of the 3rd month (1 Ch 27:5 f; 2 Sam 8:18; 20:23; 1 Ch 18:17; 2 Sam 23:20 ff; 11:22 ff). Being a true friend of David (compare 2 Sam 15:18) he did not take part in the usurpation of Adonijah (1 Ki 1:8,10,26), and was therefore with others chosen by the king to proclaim Solomon king over Israel (1 Ki 1:32 ff) and later by Solomon to execute Adonijah (1 Ki 2:25), Joab (1 Ki 2:29 ff), and Shimei (1 Ki 2:46). In recognition of his services Solomon appointed him over the host in Joab's place (1 Ki 2:35; 4:4). (2) Benaiah, a Pirathonite (compare Jdg 12:13,15), was one of David's 30 mighty men (2 Sam 23:30; 1 Ch 11:31). He was captain over the course of the 11th month numbering 24,000 (1 Ch 27:14). (3) A ruler of the house of Simeon (1 Ch 4:36). (4) A Levite of second degree appointed as singer (1 Ch 15:18) with "psalteries Set to Alamoth" (1 Ch 15:20; 16:5). (5) A priest appointed "to blow the trumpet before the ark of God" (1 Ch 15:24; 16:6). (6) The father of Jehoiada (1 Ch 27:34), but see (1) above. (7) An ancestor of Jahaziel of the house of Asaph (2 Ch 20:14). (8) An overseer in the service of Hezekiah (2 Ch 31:13). (9, 10, 11, 12) Four different men of Israel who had taken "strange wives" (Ezr 10:25,30,35,43). (13) The father of Pelatiah who was seen by Ezekiel in his vision (Ezek 11:1,13). A. L. Breslich