1 Chronicles 18:17

1 Chronicles 18:17 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief officials at the king’s side.

King James Version KJV

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.

American Standard Version ASV

and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief of those whose places were at the king's side.

Free Bible Version FBV

Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, was in charge of the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David's sons were at the king's side, serving as his chief officials.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And Benaiah the sonne of Iehoiada was ouer the Cherethites and the Pelethites: and the sonnes of Dauid were chiefe about the King.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and Benaiah son of Jehoiada [is] over the Cherethite and the Pelethite, and the elder sons of David [are] at the hand of the king.

World English Bible WEB

and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief officials serving the king.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And Banaias the son of Joiada was over the bands of the Cerethi, and the Phelethi: and the sons of David were chief about the king.

Translation for Translators T4T

Benaiah the son of Jehoiada ruled over the Kereth and Peleth groups who were David’s bodyguards. And David’s sons were his most important officials.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Chronicles 18:17

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Chronicles 18:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וּ/בְנָיָ֨הוּ֙ בֶּן יְה֣וֹיָדָ֔ע עַל הַ/כְּרֵתִ֖י וְ/הַ/פְּלֵתִ֑י וּ/בְנֵי דָוִ֥יד הָ/רִאשֹׁנִ֖ים לְ/יַ֥ד הַ/מֶּֽלֶךְ

וּ/בְנָיָ֨הוּ֙ Bᵉnâyâh H1141 Benaiah Conj | N-proper

בֶּן bên H1121 son N-ms

יְה֣וֹיָדָ֔ע Yᵉhôwyâdâʻ H3077 Jehoiada N-proper

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

הַ/כְּרֵתִ֖י Kᵉrêthîy H3774 Cherethite Art | Ngmsa

וְ/הַ/פְּלֵתִ֑י Pᵉlêthîy H6432 Pelethite Conj | Art | Ngmsa

וּ/בְנֵי bên H1121 son Conj | N-mp

דָוִ֥יד Dâvid H1732 David N-proper

הָ/רִאשֹׁנִ֖ים riʼshôwn H7223 first Art | Adj

לְ/יַ֥ד yâd H3027 hand Prep | N-cs

הַ/מֶּֽלֶךְ melek H4428 King's Art | N-ms

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Chronicles 18:17

וּ/בְנָיָ֨הוּ֙ Bᵉnâyâh H1141 "Benaiah" Conj | N-proper

Benaiah was a strong warrior and leader in the Bible, serving under King David and Solomon. His name means Jehovah has built, indicating God's strength.

Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezk.11.1; father of: Pelatiah (H6410J) § Benaiah = "Jehovah has built" or "Yahweh has built up" 1) one of David's mighty warriors, son of Jehoiada the chief priest, a Levite, set by David over his bodyguard, later having remained faithful to Solomon during Adonijah's attempt on the crown, was raised into the place of Joab as commander-in-chief of the army 2) the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite, one of David's thirty mighty warriors, and the captain of the eleventh monthly course 3) a Simeonite, a prince of the families of Simeon 4) a Levite in the time of David who played with a psaltery on Alamoth 5) a priest in the time of David, appointed to blow the trumpet before the ark 6) a Levite of the sons of Asaph 7) a Levite in the time of Hezekiah 8) Four Israelites in the time of Ezra who had taken strange wives 9) the father of Pelatiah

Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: Benaiah. See also: 2 Samuel 8:18; 1 Chronicles 11:22; Ezekiel 11:13.

בֶּן bên H1121 "son" N-ms

In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.

Definition: : child/son

Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.

יְה֣וֹיָדָ֔ע Yᵉhôwyâdâʻ H3077 "Jehoiada" N-proper

Jehoiada means Jehovah knows, and was the name of three Israelites, including a high priest who helped King David and hid Joash from Athaliah. He is mentioned in Jeremiah 29:26.

Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at Jer.29.26 § Jehoiada = "Jehovah knows" 1) father of Benaiah, David's mighty warrior 2) leader of the priests who joined David at Hebron 3) high priest at the time of Athaliah's usurpation of the throne of Judah; hid Joash, the king's son, for six years and eventually replaced him on the throne of Judah 4) second priest, or sagan, to Seraiah the high priest

Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: Jehoiada. Compare H3111 (יוֹיָדָע). See also: 2 Samuel 8:18; 1 Chronicles 11:24; Jeremiah 29:26.

עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

הַ/כְּרֵתִ֖י Kᵉrêthîy H3774 "Cherethite" Art | Ngmsa

The Cherethites were a group of foreign soldiers who served as bodyguards for King David. They are also known as executioners and may have originated from Crete or Philistia.

Definition: A group, first mentioned at 2Sa.8.18; also called Carite at 2Ki.11.4,19; Also named: ka.ri (כָּרִי "Carite" H3746) § Cherethites = "executioners" 1) a group of foreign mercenary soldiers serving as a bodyguard for king David; also executioners 2) either Cretans or proto-Philistines (in general)

Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: Cherethims, Cherethites. See also: 1 Samuel 30:14; 1 Kings 1:38; Zephaniah 2:5.

וְ/הַ/פְּלֵתִ֑י Pᵉlêthîy H6432 "Pelethite" Conj | Art | Ngmsa

A Pelethite was a messenger or courier in King David's time, possibly a descendant of Pelath or a Philistine mercenary. They are mentioned in 2 Samuel 8:18 as part of David's guard. The Pelethites played a key role in David's kingdom.

Definition: Someone descended from Pelath(?), first mentioned at 2Sa.8.18 § Pelethites = "couriers" 1) a collective name for the guardsmen of David 1a) probably descendants of an unknown person, perhaps Philistine mercenaries

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: Pelethites. See also: 2 Samuel 8:18; 2 Samuel 20:23; 1 Chronicles 18:17.

וּ/בְנֵי bên H1121 "son" Conj | N-mp

Definition: : child/son

דָוִ֥יד Dâvid H1732 "David" N-proper

David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.

Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel

Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.

הָ/רִאשֹׁנִ֖ים riʼshôwn H7223 "first" Art | Adj

This word means 'first' or 'primary', referring to something that comes before others in time, place, or rank. It is used to describe the first or most important thing in a series or list.

Definition: : first adj 1) first, primary, former 1a) former (of time) 1a1) ancestors 1a2) former things 1b) foremost (of location) 1c) first (in time) 1d) first, chief (in degree) adv 2) first, before, formerly, at first

Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: ancestor, (that were) before(-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore(-father) (-most), former (thing), of old time, past. See also: Genesis 8:13; 1 Chronicles 27:3; Psalms 79:8.

לְ/יַ֥ד yâd H3027 "hand" Prep | N-cs

In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.

Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists

Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.

הַ/מֶּֽלֶךְ melek H4428 "King's" Art | N-ms

This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.

Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)

Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.

Study Notes — 1 Chronicles 18:17

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
1 Chronicles 18:17 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 1 Chronicles 18:17
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Chronicles 18:17
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 18:17
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 18:17
Cambridge Bible on 1 Chronicles 18:17
Sermons on 1 Chronicles 18:17

Context — David’s Officers

15Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; 16Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was the scribe;

17Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief officials at the king’s side.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	2 Samuel 8:18	Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders.
2	2 Samuel 15:18	and all his servants marched past him—all the Cherethites and Pelethites, and six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath.
3	1 Kings 2:34–35	So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up, struck down Joab, and killed him. He was buried at his own home in the wilderness. And the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada in Joab’s place over the army, and he appointed Zadok the priest in Abiathar’s place.
4	Zephaniah 2:5	Woe to the dwellers of the seacoast, O nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines: “I will destroy you, and no one will be left.”
5	2 Samuel 20:7	So Joab’s men, along with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men, marched out of Jerusalem in pursuit of Sheba son of Bichri.
6	1 Chronicles 23:28	but their duty was to assist the descendants of Aaron with the service of the house of the LORD, being responsible for the courts and chambers, the purification of all the holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God,
7	2 Samuel 23:19–23	Was he not more honored than the Three? And he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three. And Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a man of valor from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. He struck down two champions of Moab, and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion. He also killed an Egyptian, a huge man. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club, snatched the spear from his hand, and killed the Egyptian with his own spear. These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who won a name alongside the three mighty men. He was most honored among the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. And David appointed him over his guard.
8	1 Kings 1:44	And with Solomon, the king has sent Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, and they have set him on the king’s mule.
9	2 Samuel 20:23	Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites;
10	1 Kings 1:38	Then Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, went down and set Solomon on King David’s mule, and they escorted him to Gihon.

1 Chronicles 18:17 Summary

In 1 Chronicles 18:17, we see King David's administration in action, with Benaiah son of Jehoiada leading the Cherethites and Pelethites, and David's sons serving as chief officials. This shows that King David was a wise leader who knew how to delegate tasks to trusted officials, similar to the way Jesus appointed his disciples to spread the gospel in Matthew 10:1-4. As we reflect on this verse, we can learn about the importance of leadership, trust, and responsibility, and how these values are still relevant today, as seen in passages like 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9. By looking at King David's example, we can gain insight into how to lead and follow in our own lives, with humility and faithfulness, as described in Proverbs 3:1-12 and Philippians 2:1-11.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who were the Cherethites and Pelethites in 1 Chronicles 18:17?

The Cherethites and Pelethites were likely mercenary groups or royal bodyguards, as seen in their association with Benaiah and King David, similar to the role of the Gittites in 2 Samuel 15:18 and the Pelethites in 2 Samuel 20:23.

What role did David's sons play as chief officials at the king's side?

As chief officials, David's sons likely held positions of authority and trust, similar to the role of Solomon as a young man in 1 Kings 4:1-19, and were involved in the administration of the kingdom, as described in Proverbs 31:1-9 and 1 Timothy 3:1-13.

How did Benaiah son of Jehoiada become a prominent figure in King David's administration?

Benaiah's rise to prominence is likely due to his faithfulness and bravery, as seen in his actions in 2 Samuel 23:20-23 and 1 Kings 1:38-40, where he is commended for his valor and appointed as a leader over the army.

What can we learn from the organization of King David's administration in 1 Chronicles 18:17?

The organization of King David's administration shows the importance of delegation, trust, and responsibility, as seen in Exodus 18:13-27 and Matthew 25:14-30, where leaders are encouraged to empower others and give them authority to make decisions.

Reflection Questions

What does this verse reveal about King David's leadership style and his ability to delegate tasks to trusted officials?
How does the role of Benaiah son of Jehoiada in 1 Chronicles 18:17 relate to the broader theme of faithfulness and loyalty in the Bible, as seen in passages like Ruth 3:1-18 and Luke 12:35-48?
What can we learn from the fact that David's sons were given positions of authority and trust, and how does this relate to our own roles as leaders or followers in our families, churches, or communities, as described in Ephesians 6:1-4 and Colossians 3:18-25?
How does this verse contribute to our understanding of the kingdom of Israel during King David's reign, and what implications does it have for our own understanding of leadership, authority, and responsibility, as seen in 1 Samuel 8:1-22 and 1 Peter 2:13-17?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Chronicles 18:17

See Gill "1 Chronicles 18:1".

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Chronicles 18:17

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king. The Cherethites and the Pelethites - who formed the royal body-guard.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 18:17

(17) Cherethites and the Pelethites.—2 Samuel 8:18. The royal body-guard, for which office Oriental kings have always employed foreign mercenaries. Josephus calls them the body-guard (Antiq. vii. 5, § 4). The names are tribal in form, and as the Cherethites recur (Ezekiel 25:16; Zephaniah 2:5) in connection with the Philistines (comp. 1 Samuel 30:14), and the name Pelethites resembles that of Philistines, it is natural to assumo that David’s guard was recruited from two Philistine tribes. (Comp. 2 Samuel 15:18, where the Cherethites and Pelethites are mentioned along with a corps of Gittites.) The Targum of Samuel, and Syriac and Arabic of Chronicles, render “archers and slingers.” Chief about the king.—Heb., the first at the king’s hand, or side, a paraphrase of what we read in Samuel: “were chief rulers” (kτhγnξm). Kτhγnξm is the common and only word for “priests,” and has just occurred in that sense (1 Chronicles 18:16). In 1 Kings 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.”

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 18:17

Verse 17. Cherethites and the Pelethites] 2 Samuel 8:18. The Targum says, "Benaiah was over the great Sanhedrin and the small Sanhedrin, and consulted Urim and Thummim. And at his command the archers and slingers went to battle." The sons of David] These were the highest in authority.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Chronicles 18:17

17. Benaiah] Cp. 1 Chronicles 11:22-25. the Cherethites and the Pelethites] David’s bodyguard. The Cherethites were almost certainly Philistines (1 Samuel 30:14; Ezekiel 25:16; Zephaniah 2:5), the Pelethites were probably also Philistines (2 Samuel 15:18). Neither were heard of after the time of David unless the Carites of 2 Kings 11:4 (R.V.) are the Cherethites. Foreign bodyguards are well-known in history. chief about the king] Lit., the chief at the king’s hand, i.e. formed the executive to carry out his commands; cp. Nehemiah 11:24. In 2 Samuel 8:18 (R.V.) David’s sons are described as priests. (Consult Baudissin, AT liches Priesterthum, p. 191.)

Sermons on 1 Chronicles 18:17

	Sermon	Description
	He Put Garrisons in Edom; and All the Edomites by F.B. Meyer	F.B. Meyer explores the relationship between Edom and Israel, symbolizing the ongoing struggle between the flesh and the spirit. He emphasizes that, like Edom's repeated attempts t
	(2 Samuel) Treachery and Loyalty by David Guzik	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the character of Absalom and his cunning tactics to win the hearts of the people of Israel. Absalom would sympathize with anyone who came to

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