20. Benaiah. The commander of David’s bodyguard (the Cherethites and Pelethites) all through David’s reign ( 8:18; 20:23) and the commander of David’s third division (1 Chron. 27:5, 6). He took a prominent part in the support of Solomon when Adonijah endeavored to take the throne and was given the post of commander in chief of Solomon’s army in place of Joab (1 Kings 1:8, 26, 32-39; 2:25-35; 4:4). His father, Jehoiada, is called a “chief priest” in 1 Chron. 27:5.
Kabzeel. A city on the extreme south of Judah, near the Edomite border (Joshua 15:21).
Lionlike men. ’ari’el. Literally, “lion of God.” Two manuscripts of the have “sons of Ariel.” Some think that Benaiah slew two sons of a Moabite king who was named Ariel.
Slew a lion. The slaying of a lion was regarded as a feat of great valor (see 1 Sam. 17:34-36).