Benaiah was commander of the Israelite royal bodyguard under King David.
Biography
Benaiah was born in Kabzeel, Judah, the son of Jehoiada. He came to be one of King David's "Mighty Men", commanding a division of the Israelite army and helping King Solomon rise to the throne and slay his enemies. Solomon appointed Benaiah as commander-in-chief, succeeding the executed Joab in 1014 BC, and he was responsible for the deaths of Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei.