Now Joab was over all the army of Israel; and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites;
2 Samuel 20:23 · WEB
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Other translations

WEB

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

KJV

Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:

Word study

Now Joab Yôwʼâb H3097
was over ʼêl H413
all kôl H3605
the host tsâbâʼ H6635
of Israel: Yisrâʼêl H3478
and Benaiah Bᵉnâyâh H1141
the son bên H1121
of Jehoiada Yᵉhôwyâdâʻ H3077
was over ʻal H5921
the Cherethites Kᵉrêthîy H3774
and over ʻal H5921
the Pelethites: Pᵉlêthîy H6432

Commentary

Matthew Henry

Here is an account of the state of David's court after his restoration. Joab retained the office of general, being too great to be displaced. Benaiah, as before, was captain of the guards. Here is one new office erected, which we had not (Sa2 8:16-18), that of treasurer, or one over the tribute, for it was not till towards the latter end of his time that David began to raise taxes. Adoram was long in this office, but it cost him his life at last, Kg1 12:18.

Adam Clarke

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.
See the notes on Sa2 8:18.

John Gill

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 Sa2 8:18.

JFB

DAVID'S GREAT OFFICERS. (Sa2 20:23-26)

Now Joab was over all the host of Israel--David, whatever his private wishes, found that he possessed not the power of removing Joab; so winking at the murder of Amasa, he re-established that officer in his former post of commander-in-chief. The enumeration of David's cabinet is here given to show that the government was re-established in its wonted course.

Next: 2 Samuel Chapter 21

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