captains, Cherethites (from the margin)
Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(head). Title for a leader of a band of ten, fifty, hundred or thousand (Deut. 1:15; Josh. 10:24; Judg. 11:6,11). Also a civic meaning (Isa. 1:10; 3:3). “Captain of the Guard” (Acts 28:16), was commander of the Praetorian troop of Rome. “Captain of the Temple” (Acts 4:1), was chief of the Temple watchmen.
Concise Bible Dictionary:
1. Inhabitants of the southern parts of Philistia (1 Sam. 30:14; Ezek. 25:16; Zeph. 2:5). In the last two passages, the LXX read “Cretans.” It is supposed that they were people from Crete, who had settled on the coast of Palestine.
2. Body-guard of David and officers sent to do service, doubtless originally the same as No. 1. They were faithful to David at the revolt of Absalom (2 Sam. 8:18; 2 Sam. 15:18; 2 Sam. 20:7, 23; 1 Kings 1:38, 44; 1 Chron. 18:17).
Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:
Meaning:
perhaps an abridged plural of 3733 in the sense of leader (of the flock); a life-guardsman
KJV Usage:
captains, Cherethites (from the margin)