Pelethites פְּלֵתִי
Elite military unit loyal to King David
Biography
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; 1Ch.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 (2Sa.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.
In Scripture
3 biblical books2 Samuel 4 verses
- 2 Samuel 8:18
"Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and David’s sons were chief ministers."
- 2 Samuel 15:18
"All 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 20:7
"Joab’s men went out after him, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men; and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri."
- 2 Samuel 20:23
"Now Joab was over all the army of Israel, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites,"
1 Kings 2 verses
- 1 Kings 1:38
"So 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 1:44
"The 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 verse
- 1 Chronicles 18:17
"and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief officials serving the king."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group | Hebrew | פְּלֵתִי | H6432 |