What is "Al ha'Kreisi veha'Pleisi"?
'Rashi': [Benayahu was] over [Giborim from] these nations. "Hoy Yoshvei Chavel ha'Yam Goy Keresim" (Tzefanyah 2:5). (Mahari Kara (Melachim I, 1:38) - Peletim are residents of Chavel Yam Pelishtim. Giborim from these nations joined to David. We find (Shmuel II, 15:18) "v'Chol Avadav Ovrim Al Yado v'Chol ha'Kreisi v'Chol ha'Pleisi."
Rashi (Shmuel II, 8:18, citing Targum Yonasan), Vilna Gaon: [Benayahu] was appointed over the archers and slingshot shooters. 1
Rashi (Shmuel II, 8:18, citing Brachos 4a): It is the Urim v'Tumim. 2 (The Gemara says there that Benayahu was the Av Beis Din; after asking him, they would ask the Urim v'Tumim.)
Radak (Shmuel II, 8:18): Some say that these were two families obedient to the king, who constantly saw him; Benayahu headed them.
Malbim (Shmuel II, 15:18): The Kreisi are David's Giborim.
Why was he not mentioned together with Yo'av over the army? Also in Shmuel II, 20:23, it says that Benayah was over the Kreisi and the Pleisi, even though it says that Yo'av was over "Kol ha'Tzava"! (PF)
Radak (Shmuel II, 15:18) questions this, for there it says "v'Chol ha'Kreisi v'Chol ha'Pleisi." (Also, the Urim v'Tumim should be mentioned next to the Kohen Gadol! And in Shmuel II, 20:7 it says that also ha'Kreisi veha'Pleisi chased after Sheva ben Bichri, and it does not mention any Kohen! These are not difficult if the Gemara merely expounds an additional Perush of the words. ? PF)
What is the meaning of "ha'Rishonim l'Yad ha'Melech"?
'Rashi', Radak (Shmuel II, 8:18): They were first at the king's hand to do all his needs.
Here it says that that Bnei David were "ha'Rishonim l'Yad ha'Melech." In Shmuel II, 8:18 it says that they were Kohanim, and in Shmuel II, 20:25 they are not mentioned!
Malbim: Initially, they were only first at the king's hand. Later 1 , they became Kohanim (great officers appointed over everything, or Chachamim).
Malbim (Shmuel II, 20:25): Initially, they were 'Kohanim', i.e. first at the king's hand. After Avshalom's rebellion, David demoted them, for he intended to make Shlomo king after himself, and he feared lest another son rebel [and try to make himself king], if they are foremost in the kingdom. He appointed Ira ha'Ya'iri to rule over David's house and give counsel.
Malbim: Similarly, there it does not say that Benayahu was Al ha'Kereisi veha'Pleisi; he was appointed over them only later.
