( Ezekiel 25:16 ), more frequently Cherethites, the inhabitants of Southern Philistia, the Philistines ( Zephaniah 2:5 ). The Cherethites and the Pelethites were David's life-guards ( 1 Samuel 30:14 ; 2 Sam 8:18 ; 1 Samuel 20:7 1 Samuel 20:23 ; 23:23 ). This name is by some interpreted as meaning "Cretans," and by others "executioners," who were ready to execute the king's sentence of death ( Genesis 37:36 , marg.; 1 Kings 2:25 ).

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.