The Cherethites are mentioned several times in the Bible, but their exact identity remains somewhat mysterious. Here is an overview of what the Bible reveals about this ancient people group:
The Name “Cherethites”
The name “Cherethites” appears to be related to the Hebrew word “cheret”, meaning “to cut off” or “executioner”. This implies the Cherethites may have been known as warriors or mercenaries.
The name is spelled a few different ways in the original Hebrew, but always refers to the same group of people. Some alternate spellings are Kerethites, Keretheans, and Crethim.
First Mention in Scripture
The Cherethites are first mentioned in 1 Samuel 30, when some of David’s men attack and destroy the Amalekites who had raided Ziklag:
“So David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and David rescued his two wives. Nothing was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken. David brought back all. David also captured all the flocks and herds, and the people drove the livestock before him, and said, “This is David’s spoil.”
Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow David, and who had been left at the brook Besor. And they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near to the people he greeted them. Then all the wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except that each man may lead away his wife and children, and depart.” But David said, “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us. Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.” And he made it a statute and a rule for Israel from that day forward to this day. When David came to Ziklag, he sent part of the spoil to his friends, the elders of Judah, saying, “Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the Lord.” It was for those in Bethel, in Ramoth of the Negeb, in Jattir, in Aroer, in Siphmoth, in Eshtemoa, in Racal, in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, in the cities of the Kenites, in Hormah, in Bor-ashan, in Athach, in Hebron, for all the places where David and his men had roamed.” (1 Samuel 30:18-31 ESV)
So after defeating the Amalekites, David sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah as well as some allies including the Kenites and the Cherethites. This implies the Cherethites were associated with the tribe of Judah in some way.
Associated with the Philistines
In 2 Samuel 8, after David conquers the Philistines, it mentions the Cherethites again:
“After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them…David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines. And he defeated Moab…So David reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity to all his people. Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder, and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was secretary, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and David’s sons were priests.” (2 Samuel 8:1,3,6,15-18 ESV)
Here the Cherethites are mentioned alongside the Pelethites, who were part of King David’s personal mercenary forces. The Pelethites are also associated with the Philistines in Scripture. So it seems the Cherethites had close ties to the Philistines as well.
Part of David’s Royal Guard
In 2 Samuel 15, when David is fleeing Jerusalem during Absalom’s rebellion, it notes:
“And all the country wept aloud as all the people passed by, and the king crossed the brook Kidron, and all the people passed on toward the wilderness…But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, weeping as they went…So David departed from Jerusalem, and he passed over the brook Kidron. And all the land wept aloud as all the people passed by, and the king crossed the brook Kidron. And all the people passed over, toward the wilderness.” (2 Samuel 15:23,30,23 ESV)
As David leaves the city, it then states:
“The king left ten concubines to keep the house. And the king left, and all the people after him. And they halted at the last house. And all his servants passed by him, and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath, passed on before the king.” (2 Samuel 15:16-18 ESV)
This shows that the Cherethites were part of David’s royal guard, along with the Pelethites and Gittites. They loyally accompanied him even when he was exiled from Jerusalem during Absalom’s rebellion.
Serving as Royal Bodyguards
Later, when David is old and bedridden, Adonijah attempts to declare himself king. But David had already promised the throne to Solomon. In 1 Kings 1 it states:
“Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” And he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him…Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king, and David our lord does not know it? Now therefore come, let me give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon…Then Nathan said to David, “My lord the king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne’? For he has gone down this day and has sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s sons, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ But me, your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon he has not invited…Let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there as king over Israel. Then blow the trumpet and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ You shall then come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, for he shall be king in my place.” (1 Kings 1:5,11,13,18-20,34,39 ESV)
The passage goes on to say that David’s royal bodyguard helped install Solomon as the rightful king:
“And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, ‘Amen! May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, say so…And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada came to the tent of the Lord and said to Solomon, “King David has sent me to you and has said, ‘Let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel, and blow the trumpet and say, “Long live King Solomon!”’” So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule and brought him to Gihon.” (1 Kings 1:36,44-45 ESV)
Along with the Pelethites, the Cherethites helped enforce David’s succession plan by anointing Solomon as king. As royal bodyguards, they ensured the proper heir took the throne.
Origins and Identity
The precise origins and identity of the Cherethites remains somewhat ambiguous. Here are some of the main theories:
– Descended from the early Canaanite people known as the Kerethites. The Kerethites are mentioned as one of the nations occupying Canaan that God would drive out before Israel (Joshua 13:6). Some scholars equate them with the Cherethites.
– Native Canaanites who allied themselves with the Philistines, either through trade or hiring themselves out as mercenaries. Their skills as warriors or guards led David to integrate them into his royal forces.
– Possibly migrants from Crete who settled the southern coast of Canaan and became part of the Philistines. “Cherethite” may come from Crethim or Cretans. Though not all scholars think they originated on Crete.
– Related to the Hurrians, who inhabited parts of northern Canaan, or the Sea Peoples who invaded the eastern Mediterranean region at the end of the Bronze Age. Some linguistic links suggest ties to Hurrian culture.
– Descended from the Levites, or potentially Gibeonites placed in service roles. Though evidence for this is quite limited.
– Native Canaanites from the Hebron region who allied with the tribe of Judah, either through friendship or serving as hired warriors.
So in summary, they most likely were an ethnic group originating from southern Canaan, with connections to the Philistines and early Judah. Over time they developed skills as royal guards and elite troops which led to them being integrated into King David’s royal forces. Their exact ancestry remains unknown. But they served Israel’s kings faithfully for many generations.
Further Context in Scripture
Here are some other passages that mention the Cherethites and provide more context:
– Zephaniah 2:5 – Part of the “nation of the Cherethites” that God says He will destroy for their pride and taunts against His people. Refers to the Philistine territory along the Mediterranean coast.
– Ezekiel 25:16 – God declares judgement on the Philistines and says He will destroy “the remnant of the seacoast.” This likely included towns still inhabited by the Cherethites and other related clans.
– 1 Samuel 30:14 – The raiding Amalekites had attacked the Negeb (Negev) of the Cherethites near Ziklag. Indicates the Cherethites inhabited settlements in the southern portion of Judah’s tribal lands.
– 1 Chronicles 18:17 – Repeats the list of David’s officials from 2 Samuel 8, including Benaiah the son of Jehoiada being over the Cherethites and Pelethites.
– 2 Kings 11:4 – The Cherethites and Pelethites are commanded by Jehoiada the priest to guard King Joash and secure him as the ruler after Athaliah’s attempted coup. They remain loyal to the throne.
So in summary, the Cherethites inhabited settlements along the southern coast of Canaan, maintained strong ties to the Philistines, allied themselves with the tribe of Judah, and eventually provided mighty warriors who guarded the kings of Israel for many generations. Though their origins remain uncertain, they left a lasting legacy of faithfulness and military might.
