Keraia
2 Samuel 8

2 Samuel 8:18

David’s Officers · 2 Samuel 8:15–18
Read 2 Samuel 8

Translations

Modern
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders.
Traditional
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief rulers.
Literal
…and Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were priestly leaders.
Latin
Banaias autem filius Jojadæ super Cerethi et Phelethi: filii autem David sacerdotes erant.

Original

Hebrew
English
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders.

Notes

2 Samuel 8:18

  • The king’s bodyguard included the Cherethites and Pelethites, who were likely foreigners. The Cherethites might have come from Crete (see also 1 Samuel 30:14; Ezekiel 25:16). These groups could have been Philistine mercenaries.

  • David’s sons were priestly leaders: David was from Judah and not a Levite (only people from the tribe of Levi could usually serve as priests). David may have created a new group of religious servants connected to his family line of kings to serve the king's court. This was different from the normal priests who served at the temple (see also study note on 2 Samuel 20:26).

2 Samuel 8:15–18

David organized his government with several key officials:

  1. Joab led the army as the military commander.

  2. Jehoshaphat kept records of important events as the court historian.

  3. Zadok and Ahimelech served as priests.

  4. Seraiah handled official documents and correspondence as the court secretary.

  5. Benaiah was the security officer in charge of the royal guard. He later became a commander under Solomon (see also 1 Kings 2:25–46).

2 Samuel 8:1–18

David’s military victories expanded his kingdom (2 Samuel 8:1–14). He also set up an organized group of officials who helped govern the nation (2 Samuel 8:15–18). Together, these developments fulfilled God’s promise to make David’s name well known and honored (2 Samuel 7:9; see also 8:13).

Theme notes and profiles

David

Events

Parallels

1 Chronicles 18:14–17

People

Benaiah: Son of Jehoiada, a mighty warrior and loyal supporter of David and Solomon Cherethites: Member of Philistine tribe serving as royal guard David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Jehoiada: Father of one of David's warriors, Benaiah Pelethites: Elite military unit loyal to King David

Glossary

Benaiah David Kerethites Land Palace Samuel, Books of First and Second Warfare

Topics

Benaiah: Son of Jehoiada, Commander of the Cherethites and Pelethites Cabinet: David's Cherethites: A Philistine Tribe, Which Adhered to David, and with the Pelethites Formed his Bodyguard David: King of Israel: Civil and Military officers of Jehoiada: Father of Benaiah, One of David's officers King: Chief officers of The Chief of the Bodyguard Kings: Attended by a Body-Guard Kings: Officers of Captain of the Guard Officer: Civil: Appointed by Kings Pelethites: A Part of David's Bodyguard The Philistines: David: had a Guard Composed of