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Jehoiada יְהוֹיָדָע

Male H3077G 3 books

Father of one of David's warriors, Benaiah

Who is Jehoiada in the Bible?

Jehoiada was the father of Benaiah, one of King David's most prominent military commanders who led the Kerethites and Pelethites, the elite royal guard (2 Samuel 8:18, 1 Kings 1:8). First mentioned in 2 Samuel 8:18, Jehoiada appears throughout the accounts of David's reign and the succession of Solomon, particularly in the events surrounding Solomon's coronation where his son Benaiah played a crucial role (1 Kings 1:32-44). Though 1 Chronicles 27:5 refers to Jehoiada as a "priest," this likely indicates an official court position rather than a religious one, similar to how David's own sons held the title. Jehoiada's significance lies primarily in his son Benaiah's loyalty to the royal house and his instrumental role in securing Solomon's throne against rival claimants.

Biography

Jehoiada was the father of one of David's warriors who commanded the Kerethites and Pelethites - the elite kings' guard. He first appears in 2Sa.8.18, and 1Ch.27.5 he is called a "priest". However this probably means some kind of non-religious official, in the same way that David's sons are described as "priests" in 2Sa.8.18.

Family

Offspring

In Scripture

3 biblical books
2 Samuel 4 verses
  • 2 Samuel 8:18

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

  • 2 Samuel 20:23

    "Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites;"

  • 2 Samuel 23:20

    "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."

  • 2 Samuel 23:22

    "These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who won a name along with the three mighty men."

1 Kings 5 verses
  • 1 Kings 1:8

    "But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s mighty men would not join Adonijah."

  • 1 Kings 1:26

    "But me your servant he has not invited, nor Zadok the priest, nor Benaiah son of Jehoiada, nor your servant Solomon."

  • 1 Kings 1:32

    "Then King David said, “Call in for me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king."

  • 1 Kings 1:36

    "“Amen,” replied Benaiah son of Jehoiada. “May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, so declare it."

  • 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 5 verses
  • 1 Chronicles 11:22

    "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."

  • 1 Chronicles 11:24

    "These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who won a name along with the three mighty men."

  • 1 Chronicles 12:27

    "including Jehoiada, leader of the house of Aaron, with 3,700 men,"

  • 1 Chronicles 18:17

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

  • 1 Chronicles 27:5

    "The third army commander, as chief for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. There were 24,000 men in his division."

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script
Named Hebrew יְהוֹיָדָע