A people close to the Philistines, believed to have been in continuous conflict with the Israelites.
1 Sam 30:14We have made a raid on the Negeb of the Cherethites and on that which belongs to Judah and on the Negeb of Caleb), and we burned Ziklag with fire.”
Later, the unified kingdom of Israel is shown to have appointed officials to govern them.
2 Sam 8:18Benaiah) the son of Jehoiada) was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests.
1 Chr 18:17Benaiah) the son of Jehoiada) was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were the chief officials in the service of the king.
When David had to flee in haste due to Absalom's rebellion, they followed David, showing their loyalty to him.
2 Sam 15:18And all his servants passed by him, and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had followed him from Gath, passed on before the king.
Subsequent appearances show them continuously being incorporated into the army, which indicates that the Cherethites were a very valiant people.
2 Sam 20:7So Joab’s) men went out after him, along with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men. They went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba) the son of Bichri.
2 Sam 20:23Joab) was over all the army of Israel; and Benaiah) the son of Jehoiada) was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and Adoram was over the forced labor;