And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

2 SAMUEL 15:18KJV
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2 Samuel 15:18 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 15:18 mean?

2 Samuel 15:18 describes how all of King David’s servants, along with special groups called the Cherethites, Pelethites, and Gittites—six hundred men who had come with him from the city of Gath—passed by David as he was leaving. The verse shows these loyal followers moving ahead of the king during a time of crisis.

This scene takes place as David is fleeing Jerusalem because his son Absalom has started a rebellion. The verse lists specific groups: the Cherethites and Pelethites were likely David’s elite guards, while the Gittites were men from Gath who had joined David earlier in his life. The detail about six hundred Gittites highlights the loyalty of these foreigners to David, even as he faces danger and uncertainty.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 15:18

  • כְּרֵתִי (kerēthî, "Cherethites") and פְּלֵתִי (pelethî, "Pelethites"): These words refer to two groups who served as David’s personal bodyguards. Their mention here emphasizes that David was protected by trusted, specialized troops, not just ordinary servants.
  • גִּתִּי (gittî, "Gittites"): This word points to people from Gath, a Philistine city. The presence of six hundred Gittites shows that David’s following included not only Israelites but also loyal foreigners, underlining the breadth of his support.
  • עָבַר (ʿāvar, "passed on"): This verb is used twice in the verse to describe the movement of the people. It gives a sense of an organized, purposeful procession, not a chaotic escape.

Why 2 Samuel 15:18 matters

  • The verse highlights the loyalty and diversity of David’s followers, showing that his support came from both Israelites and foreigners who had chosen to stand with him.
  • By naming the Cherethites, Pelethites, and Gittites, the verse emphasizes the presence of professional soldiers and dedicated allies, not just family or household staff.
  • This detail connects to the wider story of David’s life, reminding readers that his leadership attracted people from many backgrounds, even in times of trouble.

Where else these words appear

“Pelethites” Hebrew H6432 · used in 7 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:18 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.
  • 2 Samuel 20:23 Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:
  • 1 Kings 1:44 And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king's mule:

“Cherethites” Hebrew H3774 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Samuel 30:14 We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.
  • 2 Samuel 20:23 Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:
  • 1 Chronicles 18:17 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.

“Gittites” Hebrew H1663 · used in 10 verses

  • Joshua 13:3 From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
  • 2 Samuel 15:19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.
  • 2 Samuel 21:19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.

“Gath” Hebrew H1661 · used in 31 verses

  • Joshua 11:22 There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.
  • 1 Samuel 27:3 And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:21 And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in that land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.