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Reference: Cherethims

Fausets

Cherethims or Cherethites. David's body guard, along with the Pelethites. (See PELETHITES.) (2Sa 8:18; 15:18; 20:7,23; 1Ki 1:38,44; 1Ch 18:17). Saul had "footmen" (runners) as his guard (1Sa 22:17); so Rehoboam (1Ki 14:27-28). Couriers afterward took their place. The Cherethites and Pelethites were called out from attending the king's person only on extraordinary emergencies, as the rebellion of Sheba (2Sa 20:6-7). Benaiah was their commander (2Sa 23:23). The name is a national name; a tribe of the Philistines (1Sa 30:14; compare 1Sa 30:16; Eze 25:16; Zep 2:5).

Crete seems a kindred name to Cherethites; it was famed for archery, as were they; for which David chose a number of them as his body guard. Some of them probably joined him during his sojourn among the Philistines (1 Samuel 27; 29). Others he may have afterward enrolled on his conquest of the Philistines (2Sa 8:1). Some of the Philistine Cherethites probably colonized Crete originally, while others remained in Philistia, where they had migrated from Africa. Gittites of the Philistine Gath, to the number of 600, under Ittai, similarly followed David (2Sa 15:18-19). The name Pelethites may be another form of Philistines, or possibly be from Peleetim, (political) "refugees" from Philistia. Ewald supports the former. It is probably an ethnic name, as Cherethim. (See CAPHTOR.)

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