"And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king and said, 'Amen! Thus may the LORD, the God of my lord the king, say so.'" — Benaiah's response is the military commander's *affirmation* (*Amen*), a Hebrew word meaning "so be it" or "verified." The formula *ken yomar YHVH Elohey adoni ha-melekh* (thus may the LORD God of my lord the king say so) invokes divine endorsement and suggests Benaiah recognizes David's command as aligned with the divine will. The verb *amar* (say) implies that YHVH's will is being expressed *through* David's kingship. Benaiah's blessing—he does not merely obey but calls down divine confirmation—validates the succession as theologically sound. His *Amen* is both submission to the king and invocation of God's ratification.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a note on this verse