The Negeb of the Cherethites refers to the southern Philistine part of the Negeb, the area where Ziklag was located. The Cherethites, closely related to the Philistines, may also have been one of the Sea Peoples (cf. Ezekiel 25:16, Zephaniah 2:5). When David became king, some Cherethites became part of his personal guard (2 Samuel 8:18, 2 Samuel 15:18, 1 Kings 1:38, 1 Kings 1:44). The Negeb of Caleb is the area south of Hebron, the Calebite capital (cf. Joshua 15:19, Judges 1:20, 1 Samuel 25:3).1
14 We had made a raid against the Negeb of the Cherethites and against that which belongs to Judah and against the Negeb of Caleb, and we burned Ziklag with fire.”