Benai´ah, son of Jehoiada, and commander of David's guard (the Cherethites and Pelethites, 2 Samuel 8:18). His exploits were celebrated in Israel. He overcame two Moabitish champions ('lions of God'), slew an Egyptian giant with his own spear, and went down into an exhausted cistern and destroyed a lion which had fallen into it when covered with snow (2 Samuel 23:21). Benaiah (doubtless with the guard he commanded) adhered to Solomon when Joab and others attempted to set up Adonijah; and when that attempt failed, he, as belonged to his office, was sent to put Joab to death, after which he was appointed commander in chief in his place (1 Kings 1:36; 1 Kings 2:29). Some persons named Benaiah returned from the exile with Ezra (Ezra 10:25; Ezra 10:30; Ezra 10:35; Ezra 10:43).