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Cherethites

כְּרֵתִי · ke.re.ti · H3774Hכָּרִי · ka.ri · H37469 mentions in 4 books, most in 2 Samuel (4)

Who they were

The Cherethites, along with the Pelethites, were a group of Philistine warriors who served as loyal guards and soldiers for Israelite kings, particularly during the reigns of David and Solomon. They are mentioned multiple times in the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles.

During David's reign, the Cherethites and Pelethites were part of his royal bodyguard and army (2Sa.8.18; 15.18; 20.7, 23). They remained loyal to David during Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 15:18) and helped suppress the revolt led by Sheba (2 Samuel 20:7).

When Solomon ascended to the throne, the Cherethites and Pelethites supported him and played a role in securing his kingship against Adonijah's attempted coup (1Ki.1.38, 44). They continued to serve in the royal guard during Solomon's reign (1 Kings 11:4; 2 Kings 11:19).

The Cherethites' consistent loyalty and military support for the Davidic kings suggest that they were a trusted and elite group of warriors, likely drawn from the Philistine tribe of the same name.

Article: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Every mention

9 references, counted from STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0 · verse text: World English Bible (public domain)
2 SamuelChapter 8: 1 mentionChapter 15: 1 mentionChapter 20: 2 mentions4 mentions
2 Samuel 8:18Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief ministers.2 Samuel 15:18All his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.2 Samuel 20:7Joab’s men went out after him with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men; and they went out of Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.2 Samuel 20:23Now Joab was over all the army of Israel, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites,
1 KingsChapter 1: 2 mentions2 mentions
1 Kings 1:38So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon.1 Kings 1:44The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and they have caused him to ride on the king’s mule.
2 KingsChapter 11: 2 mentions2 mentions
2 Kings 11:4In the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the captains over hundreds of the Carites and of the guard, and brought them to him into Yahweh’s house; and he made a covenant with them, and…2 Kings 11:19He took the captains over hundreds, and the Carites, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from Yahweh’s house, and came by the way of the gate of…
1 ChroniclesChapter 18: 1 mention1 mention
1 Chronicles 18:17and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief officials serving the king.

What the dictionary says

(executioners) and of King David.

Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
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Sources