2 Samuel 15:18 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Of the Cherethites and the Pelethites See Poole on "2 Samuel 8:18". The Gittites were either, first, Israelites by birth, called Gittites because they went with him to Gath, and abode with him in that country. Or rather, secondly, Strangers, as Ittai their head is called, 2 Samuel 15:19, and they are called his brethren, 2 Samuel 15:20; and probably they were Philistines by birth born in the city or territory of Gath, as the following words imply, who by David's counsel, and example, and the success of his arms, were won to embrace and profess the true religion, and had given good proof of their military skill, and valour, and fidelity to the king.