32 The translation follows the , , and in reading “over,” rather than the simple conjunction that appears in . See also the parallel passage in 1 Chr 18:17.
33 That David’s sons could have been priests, in light of the fact that they were not of the priestly lineage, is strange. One must assume either (1) that the word “priest” (כֹּהֵן, kohen) during this period of time could be used in a broader sense of “chief ruler” (); “chief minister” (, ), or “royal adviser” (), perhaps based on the parallel passage in 1 Chr 18:17 which has “the king’s leading officials”, or (2) that in David’s day members of the king’s family could function as a special category of “priests” (cf. “priestly leaders”). The latter option seems to be the more straightforward way of understanding the word in 2 Sam 8:18.

In other versions

and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and David’s sons were priests.

Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests.

Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites;

and David’s sons were chief officials.

Benaiah son of Jehoiada was captain of the king’s bodyguard. And David’s sons served as priestly leaders.

Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and the Pelethites, and the sons of David were priests.

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief rulers.

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