Topical Encyclopedia Eshba'al, also known as Ish-bosheth, is a significant figure in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the early monarchy of Israel. His account is primarily found in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. Eshba'al was the son of King Saul, the first king of Israel, and was a member of the tribe of Benjamin. His name, Eshba'al, means "man of Baal," which reflects the cultural and religious influences of the time. However, in the biblical text, he is more commonly referred to as Ish-bosheth, meaning "man of shame," possibly to avoid the association with the Canaanite deity Baal.Biblical Account After the death of Saul and his sons at the Battle of Mount Gilboa, Eshba'al was made king over Israel by Abner, the commander of Saul's army. This event is recorded in 2 Samuel 2:8-10 : "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. Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David." Eshba'al's reign was marked by conflict and division within the nation of Israel. While he ruled over the northern tribes, the tribe of Judah followed David, who had been anointed king by the prophet Samuel and was ruling from Hebron. 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." Role of Abner Abner played a crucial role in Eshba'al's reign, acting as the power behind the throne. However, tensions arose between Eshba'al and Abner, particularly over a dispute involving Saul's concubine, Rizpah. This conflict is detailed in 2 Samuel 3:7-8 : "Meanwhile, Saul had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-bosheth said to Abner, 'Why have you slept with my father’s concubine?' But Abner was very angry over Ish-bosheth’s accusation. 'Am I a dog’s head from Judah?' he exclaimed. 'Today I show loyalty to the house of your father Saul and to his brothers and friends. I have not delivered you into the hand of David, yet you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman!'" Following this confrontation, Abner defected to David's side, offering to bring the northern tribes under David's rule. This move significantly weakened Eshba'al's position and paved the way for David's eventual unification of the kingdom. Assassination and Aftermath Eshba'al's reign came to a tragic end when he was assassinated by two of his own captains, Rechab and Baanah. They entered his house while he was resting and killed him, hoping to gain favor with David. This act is recounted in 2 Samuel 4:5-7 : "Now Rechab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, set out and arrived at the house of Ish-bosheth in the heat of the day while he was taking his midday nap. They entered the house as if to get some wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Rechab and his brother Baanah slipped away." However, their plan backfired, as David condemned their treachery and had them executed for murdering an innocent man. David's response is recorded in 2 Samuel 4:11-12 : "How much more, when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed, should I not now require his blood from your hand and remove you from the earth!' So David commanded his young men, and they killed them, cut off their hands and feet, and hung their bodies by the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in Abner’s tomb in Hebron." Legacy Eshba'al's brief and tumultuous reign highlights the challenges and complexities of leadership during the formative years of Israel's monarchy. His account serves as a backdrop to the rise of David, who would become one of Israel's greatest kings. Despite his association with the house of Saul, Eshba'al's life and death underscore the divine providence and unfolding of God's plan for the nation of Israel through the Davidic line. Concordance Eshba'al (1 Occurrence)1 Chronicles 9:39 Thesaurus Eshba'al (1 Occurrence)Eshba'al. Esh-baal, Eshba'al. Esh-ba'al . Multi-Version Concordance Eshba'al (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 9:39 And Ner begot Kish ... /e/eshba'al.htm - 6k Esh-ba'al (1 Occurrence) Ish-bosheth (14 Occurrences) Ishbosheth (13 Occurrences) Esh-baal (2 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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