Benaiah son of JehoiadaBenaiah was a distinguished warrior and leader in King David's army. He was the son of Jehoiada, a valiant man from Kabzeel, known for his mighty deeds (
1 Chronicles 11:22-25). Benaiah's loyalty and bravery were crucial in establishing David's kingdom, and he later became commander of Solomon's army (
1 Kings 2:35). His role foreshadows the protective and intercessory role of Christ, who is both a warrior against sin and a leader of His people.
was over the Cherethites and Pelethites
The Cherethites and Pelethites were elite mercenary groups serving as David's personal bodyguards. They were likely of Philistine origin, indicating David's ability to integrate foreign elements into his administration, reflecting the inclusive nature of God's kingdom. This mirrors the New Testament theme of the Gospel being for all nations (Matthew 28:19). Their presence underscores the political and military strategies David employed to secure his reign.
and David’s sons were priestly leaders
David's sons held significant roles within his administration, though the term "priestly leaders" is debated. It suggests they had religious or administrative duties, possibly overseeing temple services or acting as royal advisors. This reflects the intertwining of religious and political spheres in ancient Israel, where kings often had priestly functions (Psalm 110:4). The phrase anticipates the ultimate priest-king, Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfills both roles (Hebrews 7:17).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Benaiah son of JehoiadaA valiant warrior and leader in King David's army, known for his loyalty and bravery. He was appointed over the Cherethites and Pelethites, elite groups serving as David's bodyguards.
2.
Cherethites and PelethitesThese were groups of foreign mercenaries who served as David's personal guards. Their loyalty and skill were crucial to maintaining the security of the king.
3.
David’s SonsThe verse mentions that David's sons were priests, which is an unusual role since the priesthood was typically reserved for the descendants of Aaron. This indicates a special status or honorary role within David's administration.
Teaching Points
Leadership and LoyaltyBenaiah's role exemplifies the importance of loyalty and trust in leadership. As Christians, we are called to be faithful and trustworthy in our roles, whether in the church or in our daily lives.
God's Sovereignty in AppointmentsThe appointment of David's sons as priests, despite the traditional lineage requirements, shows that God can establish roles and callings beyond human expectations. We should remain open to God's unique callings in our lives.
The Role of Community in LeadershipThe Cherethites and Pelethites, though foreigners, were integral to David's reign. This highlights the value of diverse communities working together for a common purpose, reflecting the body of Christ's diversity.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 8:18?
2.How does 2 Samuel 8:18 illustrate God's order in King David's administration?
3.What roles did Benaiah and David's sons play in 2 Samuel 8:18?
4.How can we implement godly leadership principles from 2 Samuel 8:18 today?
5.What does 2 Samuel 8:18 teach about the importance of delegation in leadership?
6.How does 2 Samuel 8:18 connect to other biblical examples of structured leadership?
7.Why were David's sons appointed as priests in 2 Samuel 8:18?
8.How does 2 Samuel 8:18 align with the Levitical priesthood laws?
9.What historical evidence supports the events described in 2 Samuel 8:18?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 8?
11.Who was Benaiah in the Bible?
12.Who were the Cherethites in the Bible?
13.Who were the Cherethites in the Bible?
14.In 1 Chronicles 18:4, how do we reconcile the figure of 7,000 horsemen with 2 Samuel 8:4, which mentions 1,700 instead?What Does 2 Samuel 8:18 Mean
Benaiah son of Jehoiada• Scripture presents Benaiah as one of David’s most valiant and trustworthy warriors. “Benaiah son of Jehoiada…was renowned among the thirty, but he did not attain to the three” (2 Samuel 23:22–23).
• His background—“a valiant fighter from Kabzeel who performed great exploits” (2 Samuel 23:20)—shows why David elevated him.
• Later, God used Benaiah to secure Solomon’s throne (1 Kings 1:38–40;1 Kings 2:35), showing a life of consistent faithfulness that began under David.
• By naming Benaiah here, the text highlights God’s provision of capable, godly leadership to protect the king and, by extension, the covenant people.
Over the Cherethites and Pelethites• The Cherethites and Pelethites were David’s elite corps—his personal bodyguard (2 Samuel 15:18).
• Other verses reinforce their military role: “Joab went out with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men” (2 Samuel 20:7).
• David’s reliance on these loyal troops illustrates practical wisdom and divine blessing: the king is responsible to safeguard God’s purposes for Israel (Psalm 144:1–2).
• Placing Benaiah “over” them underscores both his authority and their strategic importance.
David’s sons were priestly leaders• The reads, “David’s sons were priests” (2 Samuel 8:18).1 Chronicles 18:17 parallels this, using the same wording.
• Though the Levitical line ordinarily served in temple worship, the king’s sons appear to have held high-ranking, priest-like governmental positions—royal chaplains, advisors, and representatives of covenant faithfulness.
• Similar dual roles surface elsewhere: “And David’s sons were chief officials at the king’s side” (2 Samuel 8:18, footnote). Also, “Ira the Jairite was David’s priest” (2 Samuel 20:26), indicating specialized priestly service beyond the tabernacle.
• Their appointment shows the integration of spiritual and civil leadership in David’s kingdom, reflecting God’s design that governance be grounded in His law (Deuteronomy 17:18–20).
summary2 Samuel 8:18 records how the Lord furnished David with three layers of support: a proven commander (Benaiah), an elite guard (the Cherethites and Pelethites), and spiritually minded royal sons serving in priestly leadership. Each phrase underscores God’s faithfulness in establishing a righteous, orderly kingdom through men who combined courage, loyalty, and devotion to the Lord’s covenant purposes.
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The Cherethites and the Pelethites.--These bodies of men, here mentioned for the first time, afterwards appear frequently, constituting the most trusted part of the king's army, and forming his especial body-guard (
2Samuel 15:18;
2Samuel 20:7;
2Samuel 20:23;
1Kings 1:38;
1Kings 1:44;
1Chronicles 18:17). Benaiah, who commanded them, a hero from Kabzeel (
2Samuel 23:20), was afterwards promoted by Solomon to be general-in-chief (
1Kings 2:35). But the meaning of the words, "the Che-rethites and the Pelethites," has been much disputed. On the one hand it is urged that the form of the name indicates a tribal designation, and that there was a tribe of Cherethites living south of Philistia (
1Samuel 30:14), who are also mentioned in connection with the Philistines in
Ezekiel 25:16;
Zephaniah 2:5. Besides, these names appear as those of bodies of troops only during the reign of David, and the objection that he would have been unlikely to employ foreign mercenaries may be met by the supposition that they had embraced the religion of Israel. On the other hand, the Chaldee ("archers and slingers
") and Syriac ("nobles and Tustics") understood them as appellatives, and it is said that they should properly be translated "executioners and runners," such offices falling to the chief troops in all Oriental armies; no tribe of "Pelethites" is known, and in
2Samuel 20:23 the expression translated "Cherethites and Pelethites" has another form for "Cherethites," which again occurs with "Pelethites" in
2Kings 11:4;
2Kings 11:19, and is translated "the captains and the guard." The question does not seem to admit of positive determination. . . .
Verse 18. -
The Cherethites and the Pelethites. As we have already seen (
1 Samuel 30:14), the Cherethim were an insignificant tribe inhabiting the southern part of the country of the Philistines. Nor is that place the only proof of this fact; for they are connected with the Philistines also in
Ezekiel 25:16 and
Zephaniah 2:5. David made their acquaintance when at Ziklag; and probably the Pelethim dwelt in the same neighbourhood, and were a still more unimportant clan or family. Much ingenuity has been expended in finding for their names a Hebrew derivation, and Gesenius explains them as meaning "cutters and runners," though for the latter signification he has to go to the Arabic, where he finds a verb
falata, "to run away," "flee." But this craze of explaining the names of aboriginal tribes and their towns by Hebrew words is not only absurd in itself, but bars the way to sounder knowledge. For it is possible that, by the study of names not belonging to the Hebrew language, we might arrive at some correct ideas about the races who had previously occupied Palestine. Instead of this, the whole system of derivation is corrupted, and philology made ridiculous. What can be more ludicrous than to explain these Pelethim as "runners away," unless it be the notion that the Rephaim took their name from the Hebrew word for "a ghost"? In his "mighties" David had a powerful bodyguard of native Israelites, and Saul previously had formed a similar force of three thousand men, not merely for the protection of his own person, but to guard the land from marauding incursions of Amalekites and other freebooting tribes. Such a body of men was of primary importance for police purposes and the safety of the frontiers. How useful such a force would be we can well understand from the history of the marches between England and Scotland (see also note on 2 Samuel 3:22); but I imagine that the Cherethites and Pelethites were used for humbler purposes. While "the mighties" guarded the frontiers, and kept the peace of the kingdom, these men would be used about the court and in Jerusalem, to execute the commands of the king and his great officers. Native Israelites would refuse such servile work, and the conquered Canaanites might become dangerous if trained and armed; while these foreigners, like the Swiss Guard in France, would be trustworthy and efficient. As for the true-born Israelites, they probably did not form the mass of the population, but, like the Franks in France, were the privileged and dominant race. We read that even from Egypt, besides their own dependents, there went up with Israel "a great mixture" (
Exodus 12:38, margin). In
Numbers 11:4 these are even contemptuously designated by a word which answers to our "omnium gatherum;" yet even they, after the conquest of Palestine, would be higher in rank than the subjugated Canaanites, from whom, together with another "mixed multitude" spoken of in
Nehemiah 13:3, are descended the felahin of the present day. David's armies would be drawn from the Israelites, among whom were now reckoned the mixed multitude which went up from Egypt, and which was ennobled by taking part in the conquest of Canaan. In the army "the mighties" would hold the chief place; while the mercenaries, recruited from Ziklag and its neighbourhood, which continued to be David's private property (
1 Samuel 27:6), would be most useful in the discharge of all kinds of administrative duty, and would also guard the king's person. In
2 Samuel 20:23 for
Cherethi we find
Cheri, which word also occurs in
2 Kings 11:4, 19. In the former passage the spelling is a mistake, the letter
t having dropped out, and it is so regarded by the Jews, who read "Cherethi." The versions also translate there just as they do here, namely the Vulgate and LXX., "Cherethi and Pelethi;" and the Syriac by two nouns of somewhat similar sound to the Hebrew, and which signify "freemen and soldiers." In the latter place in Kings it is probable that some other tribe supplied the bodyguard in Queen Athaliah's time.
David's sons were chief rulers; Hebrew and Revised Version,
priests. Similarly, in ch. 20:26, "Ira the Jairite was David's priest," Hebrew,
cohen; and in
1 Kings 4:5, "Zabud was Solomon's priest." Gesenius and others suppose that they were domestic chaplains, not ministering according to the Levitical law, but invested with a sort of sacerdotal sacredness in honour of their birth. But if we look again at
1 Kings 4:5 we find "Zabud was priest, the king's friend;" and the latter words seem to be an explanation of the title
cohen, added because the word in this sense was already becoming obsolete. In
1 Chronicles 18:17 the language is completely changed, and we read, "and David's sons were chief at the king's hand." We may feel sure that the Chronicler knew what was the meaning of the phrase in the Books of Samuel, and that he was also aware that it had gone out of use, and therefore gave instead the right sense. Evidently the word cohen had at first a wider significance, and meant a "minister and confidant." He was the officer who stood next to his master, and knew his purpose and saw to its execution. And this was the meaning of the term when applied to the confidential minister of Jehovah, whose duty it was to execute his will according to the commands given in the Law; but when so used it gradually became too sacred for ordinary employment. Still, there is a divinity about a king, and so his confidants and the officers nearest to his person were still called cohens; and we find the phrase lingering on for another century and a half. For Jehu puts to death, not only Ahab's great men and kinsfolk, but also "his cohens," the men who had been his intimate friends (
2 Kings 10:11).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Benaiahוּבְנָיָ֙הוּ֙(ū·ḇə·nā·yā·hū)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1141:Benaiah -- 'Yah has built up', the name of several Israelitessonבֶּן־(ben-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121:A sonof Jehoiada [was over]יְה֣וֹיָדָ֔ע(yə·hō·w·yā·ḏā‘)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3077:Jehoiada -- 'the LORD knows', the name of several Israelitesthe Cherethitesוְהַכְּרֵתִ֖י(wə·hak·kə·rê·ṯî)Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3774:Cherethites -- the foreign bodyguard of King Davidand Pelethites;וְהַפְּלֵתִ֑י(wə·hap·pə·lê·ṯî)Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6432:A courier, official messengerand David’sדָוִ֖ד(ḏā·wiḏ)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732:David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jessesonsוּבְנֵ֥י(ū·ḇə·nê)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A sonwereהָיֽוּ׃(hā·yū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bepriests.כֹּהֲנִ֥ים(kō·hă·nîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548:Priest
Links
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OT History: 2 Samuel 8:18 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) 
