Cherethites and Pelethites

In the Bible, the Cherethites (Hebrew: כְּרֵתִי Kərēṯī) and Pelethites (Hebrew: פְּלֵתִי Pəlēṯī), the former also spelled Kerethites, are two ethnic groups in the Levant. Their identity has not been determined with certainty. The Cherethites are mentioned independently three times, and as the "Cherethites and Pelethites" seven times. They are interpreted to have been a group of elite mercenaries employed by King David, some of whom acted as his bodyguards, and others as part of his army.