The BibleGospel Companion

Pelethites

פְּלֵתִי · pe.le.ti · H6432“judges; destroyers” Hitchcock's 18697 mentions in 3 books, most in 2 Samuel (4)

Who they were

The Pelethites were an elite military unit that served as part of King David's personal guard and army, often mentioned alongside the Cherethites (2Sa.8.18; 15.18; 20.7,23; 1Ki.1.38,44; 1 Chronicles 18:17). They were known for their loyalty to David and played a significant role in supporting him during his reign. The Pelethites and Cherethites were likely foreign mercenaries, possibly of Philistine origin, who had pledged their allegiance to David. They were involved in key events, such as helping David quell Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 15:18) and supporting Solomon's claim to the throne (1Ki.1.38,44). The presence of these elite warriors demonstrates David's military strength and the diversity of his army.

Article: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Every mention

7 references, counted from STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0 · verse text: World English Bible (public domain)

2 Samuel 4 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 Kings 2 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.

1 Chronicles 1 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

Mentioned always along with the Cherethites, and only in the time of David.

Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
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Sources