In brief
Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, is one of David's mighty men. He kills a lion in a pit on a snowy day and defeats an Egyptian with only a staff. Chief of the Kerethites and Pelethites and set over David's guard, he stays loyal when Adonijah tries to seize the throne and accompanies Solomon's anointing. He then carries out the new king's sentences and becomes commander of his army in place of Joab. He is remembered for constant courage and loyalty.
What does the name Benaiah mean?
His name is generally understood to mean Yahweh has built, but the Bible does not comment on it. He is always introduced as the son of Jehoiada, and 1 Chronicles 27:5 specifies that his father was a priest.
The story of Benaiah
The lion in the pit
2 Samuel 23:20Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, is a man of great deeds. He kills two lion-like men of Moab. One snowy day, he goes down into the middle of a pit and kills a lion there. The text reports these feats soberly, as those of a man who does not shrink from danger.
The Egyptian and the staff
2 Samuel 23:21-23Benaiah also confronts an imposing Egyptian armed with a spear. He goes down to him with a staff, snatches the spear from his hand and kills him with it. He has a name among the three mighty men and is the most honored of the thirty, though he does not attain to the first three. David puts him in charge of his guard.
In King David's service
2 Samuel 8:18; 1 Chronicles 27:5-6Under David's reign, Benaiah is over the Kerethites and the Pelethites. Chronicles also presents him as son of the priest Jehoiada and commander of the third division of the army, twenty-four thousand men, for the third month. He is called a mighty man among the thirty and set over them.
Loyal when Adonijah makes himself king
1 Kings 1:5-10Near the end of David's life, Adonijah exalts himself and declares that he will be king. Joab and the priest Abiathar follow him. But Benaiah, with the priest Zadok, Nathan the prophet and David's mighty men, does not side with him. Adonijah does not even invite him to the feast he gives by En Rogel.
“Amen!”
1 Kings 1:32-40David calls Zadok, Nathan and Benaiah and orders them to anoint Solomon at Gihon. Benaiah answers: “Amen. May Yahweh, the God of my lord the king, say so.” He wishes that Yahweh be with Solomon as with David. With the Kerethites and Pelethites, he accompanies Solomon, anointed by Zadok amid the people's shouts of joy.
In Solomon's service
1 Kings 2:25-46Once Solomon is established on the throne, Benaiah carries out his orders. He strikes down Adonijah, who asked for Abishag as his wife. He strikes down Joab, who has taken refuge at the altar, because of the blood of Abner and Amasa shed without cause. He finally strikes down Shimei, who broke his oath. Solomon puts him over the army in place of Joab.
What Benaiah teaches us
- True courage means facing danger when it comes, even in the worst conditions.
- Faithfulness shows itself in times of crisis, when others change sides.
- Saying amen to God's will means committing to serve it, not just approving it.
- Whoever serves faithfully in yesterday's battles may receive greater responsibilities tomorrow.
Key verses
The most famous verse about Benaiah. A lion, a pit and a snowy day: everything seemed to be against him, and yet he goes down and wins the victory.
Benaiah's reply to David's order. He does not merely obey: he recognizes Yahweh's will and prays that God be with Solomon and make his throne greater.
Solomon puts Benaiah over the army in place of Joab. David's mighty man becomes the military chief of the new reign, and 1 Kings 4:4 confirms him in this office.
Frequently asked questions
What did Benaiah do against the lion?
According to 2 Samuel 23:20, Benaiah went down into a pit and killed a lion on a snowy day. The same verse credits him with killing two lion-like men of Moab. These feats place him among the most famous of David's mighty men.
Why did Benaiah kill Joab?
Solomon ordered it (1 Kings 2:29-34). Joab had supported Adonijah, and above all he had killed Abner and Amasa, two men more righteous than he, without David knowing. Taking refuge at the altar, Joab refused to come out. Solomon then ordered Benaiah to strike him, to remove the blood shed without cause from his house.
Where is the story of Benaiah in the Bible?
His exploits are told in 2 Samuel 23:20-23 and 1 Chronicles 11:22-25. His role at Solomon's anointing is in 1 Kings 1, and the carrying out of the king's sentences and his appointment over the army are in 1 Kings 2. He is also mentioned in 2 Samuel 8:18.