1 Kings 1:38

the Cherethites and the Pelethites The former of these names is found 1 Samuel 30:14 as the name of a people to the south of the Philistines. Hence it has been held by some that the second name, Pelethites, must also be of the same character, and that probably it is connected with the word -Philistine." It seems not impossible that David from his early residence in the country of the Philistines may have attached a body of men to him from among those peoples and constituted them his first body-guard (Josephus calls them σωματοφύλακες), which while retaining their old title would after the king's accession be recruited from any of his most trusty supporters. We need not suppose therefore that though called by the old name they were largely composed of aliens. The older interpretations, connecting the words with Hebrew verbs, have been -executioners and runners"; and the Targum interprets them as -archers and slingers" and in one place as -nobles and common soldiers." They are clearly to be identified with -the mighty men" mentioned in 1 Kings 1:8 as not being with Adonijah.