Topical Encyclopedia Esh-ba'al, also known as Ish-bosheth, is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. He was the son of King Saul and became a significant figure during the tumultuous period following Saul's death. The name Esh-ba'al means "man of Baal," which reflects the syncretistic tendencies in Israel during that era, where Baal worship was prevalent among some Israelites. However, in the biblical narrative, he is more commonly referred to as Ish-bosheth, meaning "man of shame," possibly reflecting a later editorial choice to distance his name from the Canaanite deity Baal.Biblical References: 1. Ascension to the Throne: After the death of Saul and his sons at the Battle of Mount Gilboa, Esh-ba'al was made king over Israel by Abner, the commander of Saul's army. This event is recorded in 2 Samuel 2:8-9 : "Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, brought him over to Mahanaim, and made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin—over all Israel." 2. Reign and Conflict with David: Esh-ba'al's reign was marked by conflict with David, who had been anointed king over the tribe of Judah. The kingdom was divided, with Esh-ba'al ruling over the northern tribes and David over Judah. This division led to a prolonged civil war between the house of Saul and the house of David, as described in 2 Samuel 3:1 : "Now the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was long and drawn out, with David growing stronger and the house of Saul becoming weaker." 3. Abner's Defection: A turning point in Esh-ba'al's reign occurred when Abner defected to David's side. This was precipitated by a dispute between Esh-ba'al and Abner over a concubine of Saul, as recorded in 2 Samuel 3:7-10 . Abner's defection significantly weakened Esh-ba'al's position and paved the way for David's eventual unification of the kingdom. 4. Assassination: Esh-ba'al's reign came to a tragic end when he was assassinated by two of his own captains, Rechab and Baanah. They killed him while he was resting in his house and brought his head to David, expecting a reward. However, David condemned their actions and had them executed, as detailed in 2 Samuel 4:5-12 . Theological Significance: Esh-ba'al's account is a poignant reminder of the consequences of division and the struggle for power. His reign highlights the challenges faced by Israel during the transition from the rule of the judges to the establishment of a united monarchy under David. The narrative underscores the providential unfolding of God's plan for Israel, as David, a man after God's own heart, ultimately ascends to the throne, fulfilling the divine promise of a lasting dynasty. Esh-ba'al's life and reign serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of political ambition and the importance of aligning with God's chosen leaders. His account is a testament to the sovereignty of God in guiding the history of His people, even amidst human frailty and conflict. Concordance Esh-ba'al (1 Occurrence)1 Chronicles 8:33 Thesaurus Esh-ba'al (1 Occurrence)Esh-ba'al. Eshba'al, Esh-ba'al. Eshban . Multi-Version Concordance Esh-ba'al (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 8:33 And Ner begot Kish ... /e/esh-ba'al.htm - 6k Eshba'al (1 Occurrence) Eshbaal (2 Occurrences) Eshban (2 Occurrences) Resources Who was Moloch/Molech? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about child sacrifice? | GotQuestions.org What are the different names of God, and what do they mean? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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