Benaiah

20Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, a brave man from Kabzeel. Benaiah did many brave things. He killed two of Moab's best fighters. On a snowy day he climbed down into a pit and killed a lion.

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:

NoteMoab was a country right next to Israel. People dug deep pits to trap wild animals. Snow was rare where they lived.

21He also killed an Egyptian, a very big man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand. Benaiah went at him with only a club. He pulled the spear away and killed the man with it.

And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and slew him with his own spear.

NoteA club is a heavy wooden stick used for fighting. Egypt was a big country far to the south.

22These are the brave things Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, did. He became famous, like the three mighty men.

These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men.

23He was honored more than the thirty. But he was not one of the first three. David put him in charge of his own guards.

He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.

NoteA king's guard were the soldiers who stayed close and kept him safe.

5Then Adonijah decided he would make himself king. He was David's son, and his mother was Haggith. He got chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run ahead of him.

Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

NoteA chariot is a small cart pulled by horses. Kings and soldiers rode in them. Men running ahead of him showed everyone that he was important.

6His father had never once corrected him or asked, "Why are you doing this?" Adonijah was very handsome. He was born right after his brother Absalom.

And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.

NoteAbsalom was another son of David. He had also tried to take his father's throne.

7Adonijah talked with Joab, the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest. Both men agreed to help him.

And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.

NoteA priest was a man who led people in worshiping God. Joab was the leader of David's army.

8But some men would not join Adonijah. They were Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, a man who told people what God said. Shimei, Rei, and David's best soldiers also stayed away.

But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

NoteA prophet was a person who told others what God said. David's best soldiers were the brave men who had fought beside him for years.

9Adonijah killed sheep, cattle, and fattened calves for a feast. He did this by the stone of Zoheleth, near a spring called En-rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the king's officials from Judah.

And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah the king’s servants:

NoteKilling animals like this was a way of giving a gift to God. Then everyone ate the meat together at a big feast. En-rogel was a spring of water just outside the city. Judah was the part of Israel where David's own family came from.

10But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, or Benaiah, or the best soldiers, or his brother Solomon.

But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.

32King David said, "Call Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada." So they came in to the king.

And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.

33The king said to them, "Take my servants with you. Put my son Solomon on my own mule. Then take him down to the spring called Gihon.

The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:

NoteA mule looks like a horse with long ears. Riding the king's own mule showed everyone that the king had chosen him. Gihon was a spring where people of the city got their water.

34There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet must pour oil on him to make him king over Israel. Then blow the ram's horn and shout, 'Long live King Solomon!'

And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.

NotePouring oil on someone's head was how a person was made king. It showed that God had chosen him for the job. A ram's horn was blown like a trumpet to call people together.

35Then come back up here with him. He will sit on my throne and rule in my place. I have chosen him to be the ruler over Israel and Judah."

Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.

NoteJudah was the big southern part of the land. Israel here means the rest of the tribes.

36Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, "Yes, let it be so. May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, say the same thing.

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so too.

37The LORD has been with you, my lord the king. May he be with Solomon too. May he make Solomon's rule even greater than yours."

As the LORD hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David.

38So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went down to Gihon. The Cherethites and the Pelethites went too. They put Solomon on King David's mule and led him there.

So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon.

NoteThe Cherethites and Pelethites were soldiers from another land. They guarded the king and obeyed only him.

39Zadok the priest took the horn full of oil from the holy tent. He poured it on Solomon to make him king. They blew the ram's horn, and all the people shouted, "Long live King Solomon!"

And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.

NoteThe holy tent was a special tent where people came to worship God. The oil was kept inside a hollow animal horn, used like a bottle.

40All the people followed him up from the spring. They played flutes and were so happy that the ground seemed to shake with the noise.

And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.

NoteThese pipes were simple flutes made from reeds. People played them at happy times.

22King Solomon answered his mother, "Why ask that for Adonijah? He is my older brother. You might as well ask me to give him the kingdom. And give it to Abiathar the priest and Joab son of Zeruiah too!"

And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.

NoteA priest was a man who helped people worship God at God's holy tent.

23Then King Solomon made a promise before the LORD. He said, "May God punish me hard if Adonijah does not die for asking this.

Then king Solomon sware by the LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life.

NoteThis was a very strong promise. It means, if I do not do this, let God punish me.

24The LORD made me king. He put me on my father David's throne. He gave me a family line, just as he promised. As surely as he lives, Adonijah will die today."

Now therefore, as the LORD liveth, which hath established me, and set me on the throne of David my father, and who hath made me an house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death this day.

Note"A family line" means children and grandchildren who would be kings after him.

25So King Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada. Benaiah struck Adonijah down, and he died.

And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died.

NoteBenaiah was the leader of the king's own soldiers.

28The news reached Joab. Joab had joined Adonijah's side, though he had not joined Absalom's. So Joab ran to the LORD's tent and grabbed the horns of the altar.

Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.

NoteThe LORD's tent was where people came to worship God. Inside was an altar, a table for gifts to God. Its corners had bumps shaped like horns. Someone in trouble grabbed them to ask for safety.

29King Solomon was told, "Joab has run to the LORD's tent. He is beside the altar." So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada and said, "Go, strike him down."

And it was told king Solomon that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD; and, behold, he is by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him.

30Benaiah went into the LORD's tent and said, "The king says, come out." Joab said, "No. I will die here." Benaiah went back and told the king what Joab had said.

And Benaiah came to the tabernacle of the LORD, and said unto him, Thus saith the king, Come forth. And he said, Nay; but I will die here. And Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me.

31The king said, "Do what he says. Strike him down and bury him. Joab killed men who had done nothing wrong. Take that guilt away from me and from my father's family.

And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father.

NotePeople then believed murder left guilt on a whole family. The guilt stayed until the killer was punished.

32The LORD will make Joab pay for the blood he spilled. He killed two men who were better than he was, and my father David did not know. They were Abner son of Ner, leader of Israel's army, and Amasa son of Jether, leader of Judah's army.

And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.

NoteJudah was the southern part of Israel. It was David's own family land.

33The guilt for their deaths stays on Joab and his children forever. But David, his children, his house, and his throne will have peace from the LORD forever."

Their blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab, and upon the head of his seed for ever: but upon David, and upon his seed, and upon his house, and upon his throne, shall there be peace for ever from the LORD.

34So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up and struck Joab down and killed him. Joab was buried at his own home out in the wild country.

So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.

NoteThe wild country was empty land with few people and few trees.

35The king put Benaiah son of Jehoiada in charge of the army in Joab's place. He made Zadok priest in Abiathar's place.

And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host: and Zadok the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar.

NoteZadok was another priest. He had stayed on David's side all along.

36Then the king sent for Shimei. He said, "Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and live there. Do not go anywhere else.

And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither.

37The day you leave and cross the Kidron valley, you will surely die. It will be your own fault."

For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.

NoteThe Kidron valley lay just outside Jerusalem. Crossing it meant leaving the city.

38Shimei said to the king, "That is fair. I will do what you say, my king." So Shimei lived in Jerusalem a long time.

And Shimei said unto the king, The saying is good: as my lord the king hath said, so will thy servant do. And Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.

39Three years later, two of Shimei's servants ran away. They went to Achish son of Maacah, the king of Gath. Someone told Shimei, "Your servants are in Gath."

And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto Achish son of Maachah king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, Behold, thy servants be in Gath.

NoteGath was a Philistine city. The Philistines were enemies of Israel. Shimei's servants were slaves who worked for him.

40So Shimei put a saddle on his donkey and rode to Achish in Gath. He looked for his servants and brought them back.

And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and Shimei went, and brought his servants from Gath.

41Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had come back.

And it was told Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and was come again.

42The king sent for Shimei. He said, "Did I not make you promise before the LORD? I warned you that the day you went out anywhere, you would die. And you told me my word was fair.

And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Did I not make thee to swear by the LORD, and protested unto thee, saying, Know for a certain, on the day thou goest out, and walkest abroad any whither, that thou shalt surely die? and thou saidst unto me, The word that I have heard is good.

43So why did you break your promise to the LORD? Why did you not obey my command?"

Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD, and the commandment that I have charged thee with?

44The king also said, "You know in your heart all the wrong you did to my father David. So the LORD will make you pay for that wrong.

The king said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore the LORD shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head;

45But King Solomon will be blessed. David's throne will stand safe before the LORD forever."

And king Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD for ever.

46Then the king gave the order to Benaiah son of Jehoiada. Benaiah went out and struck Shimei down, and he died. Now Solomon's hold on the kingdom was firm.

So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; which went out, and fell upon him, that he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

22Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a brave man from the town of Kabzeel. He did many bold things. He killed two of Moab's best fighters. On a snowy day he climbed into a pit and killed a lion.

Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lionlike men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day.

NoteMoab was a country right next to Israel. A pit was a deep hole dug in the ground. An animal that fell in could not climb out.

23He also killed an Egyptian who was very tall, about seven and a half feet. The Egyptian carried a spear as thick as a heavy wooden pole. Benaiah went at him with only a club. He pulled the spear from the man's hand and killed him with it.

And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and slew him with his own spear.

NoteA weaver's beam is a thick wooden bar used for making cloth. It was about as thick as a man's arm. A club is a heavy stick used for fighting.

24These are the brave things Benaiah son of Jehoiada did. He became famous, like the three mighty men were.

These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among the three mighties.

25He was the most honored of the thirty, but he was not one of the three. David put him in charge of his own guards.

Behold, he was honourable among the thirty, but attained not to the first three: and David set him over his guard.

NoteA guard is a soldier whose job is keeping the king safe.