Reference: Cherethites and Pelethites
Hastings
These were mercenary soldiers, who probably began to attach themselves to David whilst he was an outlaw (2Sa 22:2 etc.), and subsequently became the king's bodyguard and the nucleus of his army (2Sa 8:18; 15:18; 20:7,23; 1Ki 1:38,44; 1Ch 18:17). Benaiah, whom Josephus calls 'captain of the guard' (Ant. VII. xi. 8), was their commander. They accompanied David in his retreat from Jerusalem (2Sa 15:18), fought against Absalom (2Sa 20:7,23), acted as Solomon's bodyguard at his coronation (1Ki 1:38,44). The Cherethites were a Philistine clan (1Sa 30:14), dwelling on the coast (Eze 25:16; Zep 2:5); and the name Pelethites may have been a corrupt form of Philistines. Unwillingness to believe that foreigners stood so near the national hero led certain Jewish scholars to assert that the two clans were Israelites. The appellation 'Cherethite' seems to be connected with Crete, and there is good ground (but see Caphtor) for the belief that Caphtor, from which Am 9:7 says the Philistines came, is to be identified with Crete. The Septuagint of Eze 25:16; Zep 2:5 uses Cretans as the equivalent of Cherethites.
J. Taylor.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
We came a roving upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon them of Judah and on the south of Caleb. And we burnt Ziklag with fire."
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.
And all his servants went by his side. And all the Cherethites and all the Pelethites, and all the Hittites, even six hundred men which were come afoot from Gath, went before the king.
And all his servants went by his side. And all the Cherethites and all the Pelethites, and all the Hittites, even six hundred men which were come afoot from Gath, went before the king.
And there went out after him Joab's men and the Cherethites and the Pelethites and the men of might. And they departed out of Jerusalem to follow after Sheba the son of Bichri.
And there went out after him Joab's men and the Cherethites and the Pelethites and the men of might. And they departed out of Jerusalem to follow after Sheba the son of Bichri.
And Joab was over all the host of Israel. And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites.
And Joab was over all the host of Israel. And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites.
And he said, "The LORD is my rock, my castle and my deliverer.
And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and the Cherethites and Pelethites went down, and set Solomon upon king David's mule and led him to Gihon.
And the king sent with him, Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and they have set him upon the king's mule.
Therefore thus sayeth the LORD God: Behold, I will stretch out mine hand over the Philistines, and destroy the destroyer, and cause all the remnant of the sea coast to perish.
Therefore thus sayeth the LORD God: Behold, I will stretch out mine hand over the Philistines, and destroy the destroyer, and cause all the remnant of the sea coast to perish.
O ye children of Israel, are ye not unto me, even as the Ethiopian?" sayeth the LORD, "Have not I brought Israel out of the land of Egypt, the Philistines from Caphthor, and the Syrians from Kir?
Woe unto you that dwell upon the sea coast, ye murderous people: the word of the LORD shall come upon you. O Canaan, thou land of the Philistines, I will destroy thee so that there shall no man dwell in thee any more.
Woe unto you that dwell upon the sea coast, ye murderous people: the word of the LORD shall come upon you. O Canaan, thou land of the Philistines, I will destroy thee so that there shall no man dwell in thee any more.