Pelethites
Summary
The Pelethites were a contingent of David's bodyguard, always mentioned alongside the Cherethites, possibly foreign mercenaries from Philistine regions.
☩David's Bodyguard
The Pelethites and Cherethites formed David's elite personal guard under the command of Benaiah son of Jehoiada. They remained loyal to David during Absalom's rebellion and later supported Solomon's accession to the throne against Adonijah's attempted coup.
☩Origin and Identity
The exact origin of the Pelethites is uncertain. The name may derive from a Hebrew root meaning 'swiftness,' suggesting they were runners or couriers. Others connect them with the Philistines, noting that both Cherethites and Pelethites appear on Egyptian monuments as mercenary groups. They may have been refugees from Philistine territories who joined David during his time among the Philistines.
Related Verses7 mentions
References
- 1.George Morrish, "Pelethites," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Pelethites," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).