Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
Cherethites, who cut or tear away
Schaff's Bible Dictionary
CHER'ETHIMS, identical with Cherethites. CHER'ETHITES and PEL'ETHITES (executioners and couriers) formed the body-guard of King David. 2 Sam 8:18; 2 Sam 5:18; 2 Sam 20:7. It is probable they were mercenaries, originally Philistines, for Cherethite is connected with Pelethite, which was, it is likely, only another form of the word Philistine.