Cherethites (kĕr'e-thîtes), executioners, and Pelethites (pĕl'e-thîtes or pç'leth-îtes), couriers. The life-guards of King David. 2 Samuel 8:18; 2 Samuel 15:18; 2 Samuel 20:7; 2 Samuel 20:23; 1 Kings 1:38; 1 Kings 1:44; 1 Chronicles 18:17; 2 Kings 11:4, R. V. "Carites." But it has been conjectured that they may have been foreign mercenaries, and therefore probably Philistines.