It's often used in formal or literary contexts and conveys a sense of authority and importance.
Here are some examples:
* The king issued a behest for all his subjects to attend the feast.
* She followed the behest of her grandmother to always be kind to others.
* The general's behest was to attack at dawn.
The word "behest" is related to the word "beseech," which means to ask earnestly or beg. This connection suggests that a behest is a command that is not to be ignored.