PELETHITES

(Pelʹe·thites).

Loyal fighters for King David; always mentioned with the Cherethites. When David fled from Jerusalem because of Absalom’s rebellion (which a major portion of the army supported), the Pelethites went along with David across the Kidron. (2Sa 15:18, 23) They also helped put down the rebellion of Sheba (2Sa 20:7), and later they supported David’s choice of Solomon as his successor, instead of siding with Adonijah as Joab did. (1Ki 1:38, 44) The Cherethites and Pelethites were not part of the regular army but were a separate division in the service of King David, for Joab is called the head of the army, but, separately, Benaiah was over the Cherethites and Pelethites. (2Sa 8:18; 20:23; 1Ch 18:17)

(2) On the other hand, the names Cherethites and Pelethites may perhaps be terms designating duty or ranks of service performed by David’s bodyguard, the Cherethites serving as executioners, the Pelethites as runners.