2 Samuel 20:23

Contextual Overview

²³Joab was over Israel's entire army; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites;²³ Joab was over Israel's entire army; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; ²³Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; ²³ Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites;²³ Ioab was ouer all the hoast of Israel, and Banaia the sonne of Iehoida was ouer the Cerethites & Phelethites. ²³ Joab was captain of the whole army of Israel. Benaiah son of Jehoiada led the Kerethites and Pelethites. ²³ And Joab was over all the army of Israel, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites. ²³ Now Jo'ab was in command of all the army of Israel; and Benai'ah the son of Jehoi'ada was in command of the Cher'ethites and the Pel'ethites; ²³ Now Joab was over all the host of Israel; and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites; ²³ Now Ioab was ouer all the hoste of Israel, and Benaiah the sonne of Iehoiada was ouer the Cherethites, and ouer the Pelethites.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Now Joab: 2 Samuel 8:16-18, 1 Chronicles 18:15-17

and Benaiah: 2 Samuel 20:7

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 2:13 - Joab 2 Samuel 8:18 - the Cherethites 2 Samuel 15:18 - Cherethites 2 Samuel 23:20 - Benaiah 2 Samuel 23:23 - over his guard 2 Samuel 24:2 - Joab 1 Kings 1:7 - Joab 1 Kings 4:2 - the princes 1 Chronicles 11:6 - Joab 1 Chronicles 11:22 - Benaiah 1 Chronicles 11:25 - David 1 Chronicles 18:17 - Benaiah

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Now Joab [was] over all the host of Israel,.... Established in the post in which he formerly was; either having been never displaced, which though David thought to do, he was not able to effect it, because of his power and influence with the people; or if he had displaced him, which by some things in this chapter seemed to be the case, yet Amasa being dead, and the rebellion crushed by Joab, which still made him more haughty, and increased his popularity, David saw it most advisable to replace him; and because mention is made of him, as established in his office as general over the whole army, an account is given of the rest of David's officers; and the rather, as it was a sort of beginning his reign anew, after quelling the above rebellions:

and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [was] over the Cherethites, and over the Pelethites; was continued in his post, see 2 Samuel 8:18.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Now Joab ... - This is by no means an unmeaning repetition. Joab had been dismissed to make room for Amasa, and was now, as the result of his successful expedition against Sheba, and the death of Amasa, reinstated in his command. Moreover, this was a fresh beginning of David’s reign, and therefore a statement of his chief officers is as proper as in 2 Samuel 8:16, when he had just established himself on the throne of Israel. Compare 1 Kings 4:2-6.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Samuel 20:23. Joab was over all the host — He had murdered Amasa, and seized on the supreme command: and such was his power at present, and the service which he had rendered to the state by quelling the rebellion of Sheba, that David was obliged to continue him; and dared not to call him to account for his murders without endangering the safety of the state by a civil war.

Benaiah - over the Cherethites — Benaiah was over the archers and slingers. 2 Samuel 8:18.