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2 Samuel 8:18
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiadawas over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.

2 Samuel 15:18
And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

2 Samuel 20:7,23
And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri…

Cherethites

Zephaniah 2:5
Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORDis against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.

1 Chronicles 23:28
Because their officewas to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;

was over the Cherethites and Pelethites
The Cherethites and Pelethites were elite groups of warriors who served as David's personal bodyguards. Their origins are somewhat debated, but they are often associated with the Philistines, suggesting that David incorporated foreign mercenaries into his forces, which was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern kingdoms. This strategic move highlights David's wisdom in securing his reign through a diverse and loyal military force. The presence of these groups underscores the political and military complexities of David's kingdom.

and David’s sons were chief officials at the king’s side
David's sons held significant positions within his administration, indicating the dynastic nature of his rule. This practice of appointing family members to key roles was typical in ancient monarchies, ensuring loyalty and continuity of governance. However, it also foreshadows potential issues of favoritism and rivalry, as seen later in the conflicts among David's sons, such as Absalom's rebellion. This phrase emphasizes the centralization of power within David's family and the importance of maintaining a stable and unified leadership.

Benaiah keeps reappearing in the historical books as one of David’s most dependable warriors.2 Samuel 23:20-23 and1 Chronicles 11:22-25 describe him as “a valiant fighter” who “performed great exploits.” Those accounts remind us:

• His courage was proven—he struck down two Moabite champions, a lion in a pit on a snowy day, and an imposing Egyptian.

• His loyalty was unwavering—he never turned against David, even when palace intrigue swirled around the throne (2 Samuel 15:18;1 Kings 1:8).

• His promotion was earned—later, Solomon placed him over the entire army (1 Kings 2:35), showing the progression from faithful service to greater responsibility (Luke 16:10).

Cross references confirm that God often raises up humble, faithful men (1 Samuel 2:30;Proverbs 22:29), and Benaiah exemplifies that truth.

The Cherethites and Pelethites formed David’s elite guards.2 Samuel 8:18 echoes the verse under study: “Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites”. Key observations:

• They were likely foreign mercenaries, perhaps from Crete and Philistia, yet fully committed to Israel’s king (Zechariah 9:7 hints at Gentile allegiance to the LORD).

• Their singular duty was to protect David, evidenced when they marched past him during Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15:18-19).

• Their role foreshadows the church’s call to guard King Jesus’ honor, whether Jew or Gentile (Ephesians 2:13-16).

By placing a godly commander over them, David ensured personal security without compromising covenant faithfulness (Psalm 20:7-8).

The final clause, mirrored in2 Samuel 8:18, reads: “and David’s sons were chief officials at the king’s side”. Consider what that conveys:

• Training for service—David involved his sons in governance, resembling Moses grooming Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:7-8) and Paul mentoring Timothy (2 Timothy 2:2).

• Delegated authority—placing family members in key posts demonstrated trust but also accountability; their closeness to the throne ensured they could be observed and corrected (Proverbs 27:17).

• Covenant continuity—this structure prepared the next generation for leadership, vital for the Davidic line pointing to the ultimate Son-King, Jesus (Luke 1:32-33).

1 Chronicles 23:1-2 later reveals these sons overseeing temple planning, aligning civil and spiritual responsibilities under God’s guidance.

1 Chronicles 18:17 highlights how David organized his kingdom for stability and protection. A proven warrior, Benaiah, commanded the loyal Cherethite and Pelethite guard, modeling faithfulness and courage. Meanwhile, David’s own sons served as trusted officials, learning leadership in proximity to their father. Together, these appointments demonstrate godly stewardship: securing the throne, training future rulers, and pointing forward to the perfect reign of Christ, in whom faithful service and family legacy reach their fullest expression.

Chief about the king.--Heb.,the first at the king's hand, orside, a paraphrase of what we read in Samuel: "were chief rulers" (koh?nim). Koh?nim is the common and only word for "priests," and has just occurred in that sense (1Chronicles 18:16). In1Kings 4:5, as well as here, the term is said to denote not a sacerdotal, but a secular "minister." But this theory seems to be opposed to the facts of history. Under the monarchy the priests were brought into close relations with the king, owing to their judicial duties; and the chief priest of a royal sanctuary became one of the great officials of state (Amos 7:11;Amos 7:13). Such a position would be of sufficient importance to be filled by the princes of the blood. The chronicler, writing from the point of view of a later age, has substituted for the original term a phrase that would not offend contemporary feeling. In Samuel the LXX. renders "chief courtiers;" the other versions have "magnates," except the Vulg., which has "priests." Syriac of Chronicles, "magnates." . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...