And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites: Benaiah was first mentioned in 1 Chr 11.22-25. Some other passages that refer to him are 2 Sam 8.18; 20.23; and 23.20-23. As indicated by the Good News Translation rendering, the Cherethites and the Pelethites were the bodyguards of King David. Apparently David recruited a private army while he was living in Ziklag (1 Sam 27–30). According to 1 Sam 30.14, he was close to “the Negeb of the Cherethites,” presumably the home of the first named group. Bible en français courant and Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente speak of “Cretans” in place of Cherethites, that is, inhabitants of the island of Crete; and in other languages also, it may be better to use the modern-day name “Cretans.” However, the identification of Cherethites with Cretans is not certain. Some scholars have suggested that the Pelethites is a variant name for the Philistines, but the evidence for this is far from conclusive. Most likely both the Cherethites and the Pelethites were non-Israelites whose origin was probably in the Aegean Sea area. Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, and New Living Translation translate the meaning of these expressions without providing the form, but some translators may prefer to retain the form along with the sense in this passage by saying “the Cherethites and the Pelethites, who were the king’s bodyguards” or “those who protected the king, that is, the Cherethites and the Pelethites.”

And David’s sons were the chief officials in the service of the king: The parallel passage of 2 Sam 8.18 says that David’s sons were priests; but for the Chronicler, only descendants of Aaron could be priests. This clause is literally “and the sons of David the first [plural] at the hand of the king.” Nearly all translations take the words “the first” as referring to the position of David’s sons in his administration; for example, Good News Translation says “and King David’s sons held high positions in his service,” and Contemporary English Version has “David’s sons were his highest ranking officials.” But it is also possible, and perhaps better, to take the word “first” with the word “sons,” as Revised English Bible does by saying “The eldest sons of David were in attendance on the king.” Compare also “and the first sons of David were at the king’s side” (Knoppers). This second interpretation fits the context of a king with many wives and many sons.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .