"As the LORD has been with my lord the king, even so may he be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.'" — Benaiah's blessing invokes the *presence* (*emet*) of YHVH that has been with David and prays it will extend to Solomon. The phrase *hayah YHVH 'im-adoni ha-melekh* (the LORD has been with my lord the king) acknowledges David's past reliance on divine favor and military success. The prayer *ken yihyeh 'im-Shlomoh* (so may he be with Solomon) extends this covenantal presence to the new king. Yet Benaiah adds a *surpassing* element: *ve-yagdil et-kiso mi-kise adoni ha-melekh David* (and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David)—an astonishing prayer that the successor surpass the predecessor. This foreshadows Solomon's greater wealth and wisdom, yet it also suggests Benaiah recognizes in Solomon the potential for a kingdom greater than David's own. The prayer is both submissive and visionary.

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