Cher'ethites, The. (executioners). And a royal guardsman 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. It is plain that these royal guards were employed as executioners, 2 Kings 11:4, and as couriers, 1 Kings 14:27. But, it has been conjectured that, they may have been foreign mercenaries, and therefore, probably Philistines, of which name Pelethites may be only another form.