Pelethites

Easton, 1897

Mentioned always along with the Cherethites, and only in the time of David. The word probably means "runners" or "couriers," and may denote that while forming part of David's bodyguard, they were also sometimes employed as couriers (2 Samuel 8:18; 2 Samuel 20:7, 2 Samuel 20:23;1 Kings 1:38, 1 Kings 1:44; 1 Chronicles 18:17). Some, however, think that these are the names simply of two Philistine tribes from which David selected his body-guard. They are mentioned along with the Gittites (2 Samuel 15:18), another body of foreign troops whom David gathered round him.