Did We Discover the Arrowhead of Benaiah Ben Jehoiada, the Lion Slayer?

Benaiah Ben Jehoiada, one of King David's mighty warriors, was not only a great fighter but also a wise Torah scholar. The Ari HaKadosh revealed insights about his soul's origins and its spiritual significance in that generation. Countless wonders were attributed to him!

The prophet Samuel describes his strength as follows: "Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, performed many acts. He struck down two Moabite mighty men, descended into a pit on a snowy day, and struck down a lion. He also killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature. The Egyptian had a spear, but Benaiah went down to him with a staff, snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with it. These were the deeds of Benaiah Ben Jehoiada, and he was renowned among the three mighty men" (2 Samuel 23).

These are just some tales of this extraordinary hero. He bravely leapt upon the Egyptian giant, weaponless, and seized the giant’s own weapon. And how did he defeat the lion on that snowy day? Imagine the heavy snow in the Jerusalem and Hebron areas. Hebron, located above the desert, saw the lion likely rising from the desert in search of prey. Unfamiliar with snow, it slipped into a large pit common in that region. Its roars echoed, and folks feared it would climb out and cause devastation. As the lion repeatedly thrashed its massive paws against the cold, smooth walls, Benaiah did not hesitate—he leapt into the pit with a spear and drove it into the lion's body. Or perhaps he was as heroic as King David, conquering the lion with just his hands? Or maybe he shot it from atop the pit? We don't truly know, and must heed the words of our sages who say this entire account is merely an allegory for his remarkable halachic strength.

Decades ago, inscribed arrowheads began appearing in the antiquities market, reminding us of modern practices of inscribing messages on missiles directed at enemies. These arrowheads were examined and found to be authentic, made of bronze—a metal from an ancient era prior to the Iron Age before ironworking became widespread. In Israel, it was King Solomon who established iron furnaces in Timna, and before his time, the Philistines often prevented Israel from producing iron, as described in the Book of Judges.

In some cases, it's unknown where these arrowheads were discovered; in others, they were found by researchers at excavation sites near Bethlehem. One particular arrowhead bears the inscription "Arrow of Benaiah, Chief General." Knowing Benaiah Ben Jehoiada as one of King David's military leaders, the question arises: could this really be one of his arrowheads?

We may never know the answer, leaving room only for speculation...