Meaning of BENAIAH

(a) Levite, son of Jehoiada, of Cabseel of Judah (2 Sam. 23:20). His father was a priest (1 Chr. 27:5); If Jehoiada was serving at the altar, he was probably the chief of the priests who joined the army to put David on the throne (1 Chron. 12:27).

Benaiah was brave. He descended into a cistern to kill a lion. He struck down two Moabite heroes. Armed only with a staff, he confronted an Egyptian giant and, snatching his spear, killed him with it (2 Sam. 23:20, 21; 1 Chron. 11:22, 23). He commanded the Cherethites and the Pelethites, King David's personal guard (2 Sam. 8:18).

He also commanded the third army during the third month (1 Chron. 27:5, 6). Benaiah and his guard remained faithful to David during the rebellion of Absalom (cf. 2 Sam. 15:18; 20:23) and Adonijah (1 Kings 1:10). David ordered him to escort Solomon, with the guard, to Gihon, so that he would be anointed king (1 Kings 1:32-38)

As chief of the guard, he killed Adonijah (1 Kings 2:25), Joab (1 Kings 2:29-34), and Shimei (1 Kings 2:46). Upon the death of these conspirators, Benaiah was promoted to general-in-chief of Solomon's armies (1 Kings 2:35).

(b) One of David's mighty men, a Piratonite (2 Sam. 23:30; 1 Chron. 11:31; 27:14).

(c) Prince of the family of Simeon (1 Chron. 4:36).

(d) Levite and gatekeeper (1 Chr. 15:18, 20; 16:5).

(e) Priest who blew the trumpet before the ark (1 Chron. 15:24; 16:6).

(f) Father of Jehoiada, one of David's counselors (1 Chron. 27:34).

(g) Levite descendant of Asaph (2 Chr. 20:14).

(h) Levite overseer of the temple offerings (2 Chr. 31:13).

(i) Father of Pelatias, prince of Judah (Ez. 11:1, 3).

(j) he is also the name of four men who married foreign women (Ezra 10:25, 30, 35, 43).