Who were the Pelethites?

The Pelethites were a group of foreign mercenaries employed by King David as bodyguards in his special armed forces. Pelethite was possibly a variation of the term Pelishti, referring to the Philistines. While the precise ethnicity of the Pelethite people is uncertain, they most likely descended from Aegean and Anatolian ancestors who migrated to the coastal plain of Canaan during the invasions of the Sea Peoples in the twelfth century BC.

The Pelethites are always mentioned in connection with the Kerethites (or Cherethites in some translations) in the assemblage of David’s royal officials, army, guard, and priests: “David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people. Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelek son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was secretary; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests” (2 Samuel 8:15–18).

The commander of this elite group of soldiers was Benaiah, son of Jehoiada (1 Chronicles 27:6). The Bible describes Benaiah as “a valiant warrior from Kabzeel. He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two champions of Moab. Another time, on a snowy day, he chased a lion down into a pit and killed it. Once, armed only with a club, he killed an imposing Egyptian warrior who was armed with a spear. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with it. Deeds like these made Benaiah as famous as the Three mightiest warriors. He was more honored than the other members of the Thirty, though he was not one of the Three. And David made him captain of his bodyguard” (2 Samuel 23:20–23, NLT).

The Pelethites should not be confused with David’s mighty men, although they served alongside these fiercest and most famous of David’s warriors under Benaiah (see 2 Samuel 23:8–39). David may have earned the allegiance of the Pelethites during his time living among the Philistines and serving under their king of Gath (see 1 Samuel 27:1–12).

The Pelethites and Kerethites were a well-organized, cohesive fighting force that remained loyal to David throughout his reign. They stood by King David during his many military campaigns and protected his throne against rebellious uprisings. The Pelethites defended David when Absolom rebelled (2 Samuel 15:13–23), when Adonijah attempted to seize his throne (1 Kings 1:8), and when Sheba revolted (2 Samuel 20:1–26). They continued to prove their loyalty to David when Solomon was crowned as his successor, assisting in Solomon’s coronation (1 Kings 1:32–40). They most likely helped Benaiah in his task of ridding the kingdom of David’s enemies (1 Kings 2:25, 29, 46, 34–35).

After David’s death, the royal guardsmen of “Pelethites and Kerethites” eventually lost their ethnic appellation and became known simply as “the captains and the guard” (see 2 Kings 11:4, 19, KJV), “the Carites and the guards” (NIV), or “the Carite mercenaries, and the palace guards” (NLT). Carites or captains refers specifically to a group of foreign soldiers (like David’s Pelethites and Kerethites) who served as part of the royal bodyguard in ancient times.