Cherethites

The Cherethites and Pelethites together formed the personal bodyguard of King David (2 Samuel 8:18; 15:18; 20:7, 23; 1 Kings 1:38, 44; 1 Chronicles 18:17). Commanded by Benaiah son of Jehoiada, they served as the king's most trusted military escort, carrying out executions and accompanying the royal processions. They remained loyal to David during Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 15:18) and played a decisive role in ensuring Solomon's succession by escorting him to Gihon to be anointed (1 Kings 1:38).

The name Cherethites is linked to Crete (Hebrew Kerethi), and Smith suggests they were Cretan mercenaries — perhaps connected to the Caphtorim/Philistines and part of the Sea Peoples tradition. Ezekiel 25:16 and Zephaniah 2:5 use Cherethites as a name for the Philistine coastal inhabitants. The combination of foreign mercenaries in David's bodyguard (including also Ittai the Gittite's regiment) reflects the cosmopolitan military culture of his court — loyal fighters bound personally to the king rather than to tribal or national affiliations.