BENAIAH bĕ nā’ yə (בְּנָיָ֖ה, Jah builds, LXX, Βαναιου). A popular name, particularly among the Levites. 1. Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, of Kabzeel, who through a number of daring exploits distinguished himself as one of David’s mighty men (2 Sam 23:20, 21) when the latter fled from Saul. When David became king he gave high recognition to the men who had performed valiantly under him while in exile. Benaiah was placed at the head of thirty men (23:23), which, in rank, followed David’s first three of special valor (1 Chron 27:6). He also was given a high place in the army which had Joab as its head. Benaiah was placed over a special contingent known as the Cherethites and Pelethites (2 Sam 20:23), who seem to have come from an area in southern Pal. bordering on Judah (1 Sam 30:14). Nothing is said about their being mercenaries, but they were a special unit from David’s earlier days. In addition, David made Benaiah his third commander, placing 24,000 men under him and made him responsible for the third month of the year (1 Chron 27:5, 6).

Beniah remained loyal to David until the end, and did not take part in the usurpation of Adonijah (1 Kings 1:8). Therefore he was chosen, with others, to make arrangements for the proclamation of Solomon as king (1:32-40). Under the new king Benaiah was made head of the army (2:35; 4:4) replacing Joab, and executioner of Adonijah (2:25), Joab (2:29) and Shimei (2:46).

2. Benaiah of Pirathon, and of the sons of Ephraim, was one of David’s thirty mighty men (2 Sam 23:30) and later was made commander of 24,000 men responsible for the eleventh month in national affairs (1 Chron 27:14).

3. Benaiah, a ruler listed in the genealogy of the house of Simeon (4:36).

4. Benaiah, a Levite appointed by the Levitical chiefs to the second order of singers under Ethan (15:18) and to play the harp with others “according to Alamoth” (15:20). These appointments were made under the most extensive reorganization of the Levitical service ever attempted in the history of the priesthood. By it David accomplished a magnificent service of song coupled with a beautiful liturgy.

5. Benaiah, one of the priests assigned to blow trumpets before the Ark of the covenant (15:24; 16:5).

6. Benaiah, the father of Jehoiada, the successor of Ahithophel (27:34).

7. Benaiah, the grandfather of Jahaziel of the house of Asaph (2 Chron 20:14).

8. Benaiah, an overseer under Conaniah and Shimei in preparing chambers in the Temple (31:13).

9., 10., 11., 12. Four different men by the same name who had taken “strange wives” in the days of Ezra (Ezra 10:25, 30, 35, 43).

13. Benaiah, the father of Pelatiah whom Ezekiel, in vision, saw among the princes destroying the morale of the people with evil counsel (Ezek 11:1-4).

Bibliography Jos. Antiq. VII, xi, 8; xii, 4; J. Bright, A History of Israel (1959), 189, 190.