Pelethitas

The Pelethites, paired consistently with the Cherethites, constituted an elite military unit that served as David's personal bodyguard throughout his reign (2 Samuel 8:18; 15:18; 20:7, 23; 1 Kings 1:38, 44; 1 Chronicles 18:17). Both units remained loyal to David during Absalom's and Sheba's rebellions and escorted Solomon to his coronation. Their precise ethnic identity is debated; many scholars associate the Cherethites with Cretans and the Pelethites with Philistines, suggesting they were foreign mercenaries in the Davidic service.