1:8 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. Benaiah was the commander of the Cherethites and Pelethites, mercenary forces who functioned in large measure as David’s royal guard (2 Sam. 8:18; 20:7; 23:20; 1 Chr. 18:17).

Nathan the prophet. The most prominent prophet during David’s reign (2 Sam. 7:1–17; 12:1–15).

Shimei. A different man than the one referred to in 2 Sam. 16:5–8; 1 Kin. 2:8, 36–46. Perhaps this person is the “Shimei the son of Ela” who was one of Solomon’s governors (4:18).

mighty men. See 2 Sam. 23:8–39.