Bible Strands
2 Samuel 20:7
So Joab’s men, along with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men, marched out of Jerusalem in pursuit of Sheba son of Bichri.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records the execution of David’s command to Abishai following Sheba’s rebellion. Joab departs Jerusalem with a royal guard and elite troops to intercept the fugitive.
The words — The verb וַיֵּצְאוּ (va.ye.tze'u) translates literally as "and they went out," marking the decisive departure from the capital. The phrase אַחֲרָיו (a'chav) means "after him," specifying the pursuit direction.
The thread — The Cherethites and Pelethites appear as David’s elite guard in 2 Samuel 8:18, 2 Samuel 15:18, and 1 Kings 1:38. This verse confirms their continued role as a royal military unit under Joab’s command.
Why it lands — The text notes the mobilization of royal forces without evaluating Joab’s character or the campaign’s outcome. A reader must track the narrative consequence of this military deployment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And there went out after him Joab’s men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 8:18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders.
- 1 Kings 1:38 Then Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, went down and set Solomon on King David’s mule, and they escorted him to Gihon.
- 2 Samuel 15:18 and all his servants marched past him—all the Cherethites and Pelethites, and six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath.
- 2 Samuel 20:23 Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites;
- 2 Samuel 8:16 Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;
- 2 Samuel 23:22 These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who won a name along with the three mighty men.
- 1 Kings 1:44 And with Solomon, the king has sent Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, and they have set him on the king’s mule.