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 15:18KJVWhat 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.