Eshbaal, also known as Ish-bosheth, is a significant figure in the Old Testament, particularly in the narrative of the early monarchy of Israel. His account is primarily found in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. Eshbaal was the son of King Saul, the first king of Israel, and was a member of the tribe of Benjamin. His name, Eshbaal, means "man of Baal," which reflects the cultural and religious influences of the time. However, in the biblical narrative, 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, Eshbaal 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."

Eshbaal's reign was marked by conflict and division within the kingdom. While he ruled over the northern tribes of Israel, David was anointed king over the tribe of Judah, leading to a prolonged civil war between the house of Saul and the house of David. This period of strife is detailed in 2 Samuel 3, where the power struggle between Abner and David is highlighted. Abner, initially a supporter of Eshbaal, eventually defected to David's side, recognizing that the LORD had chosen David to be king over all Israel.

Political Intrigue and Downfall

Eshbaal's reign was fraught with political intrigue and instability. His reliance on Abner for military and political support underscores his weak leadership. The turning point in Eshbaal's rule came when Abner was killed by Joab, David's military commander, as recounted in 2 Samuel 3:27. This event left Eshbaal vulnerable and without his primary supporter.

The final blow to Eshbaal's kingship came through betrayal. In 2 Samuel 4:5-7 , two of his own captains, Rechab and Baanah, assassinated him while he was resting in his house: "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."

Theological Significance

Eshbaal's account is a poignant reminder of the consequences of weak leadership and the dangers of political ambition. His reign serves as a backdrop to the rise of David, the man after God's own heart, and highlights the divine providence in the establishment of the Davidic dynasty. The narrative underscores the theme of God's sovereignty in choosing and establishing leaders according to His purposes.

Eshbaal's life and reign, though brief and tumultuous, are integral to understanding the transition from the house of Saul to the house of David, a pivotal moment in Israel's history that set the stage for the united monarchy under David and Solomon.Eshbaal

(Baal's man), (1 Chronicles 8:33; 9:39) the same as Ish-bosheth.

Eshbaal

1 Chronicles 8:33, the fourth son of Saul, generally called Ishbosheth. The word BAAL, the name of an idol, was not pronounced by scrupulous Jews; they substituted BOSHETH, confusion. For Meribbaal, they said Mephibosheth, etc. See ISHBOSHETH.

Man of Baal, the fourth son of king Saul (1 Chronicles 8:33; 9:39). He is also called Ish-bosheth (q.v.), 2 Samuel 2:8. ESHBAAL

esh'-ba-al.

See ISH-BOSHETH.

792. Eshbaal -- "man of Baal," a son of Saul
... 791, 792. Eshbaal. 793 . "man of Baal," a son of Saul. Transliteration: Eshbaal
Phonetic Spelling: (esh-bah'-al) Short Definition: Eshbaal. ...
/hebrew/792.htm - 6k

The King.
... One of his grand-uncles was named Baal (1 Chronicles 9:36); his son was really called
Eshbaal (Fire of Baal), which was contemptuously converted into ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/ix the king.htm

Eshbaal (2 Occurrences)
... 8. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ESHBAAL. esh'-ba-al. See ISH-BOSHETH.
Multi-Version Concordance Eshbaal (2 Occurrences). 1 ...
/e/eshbaal.htm - 7k

Ish-bosheth (14 Occurrences)
... Man of shame or humiliation, the youngest of Saul's four sons, and the only one
who survived him (2 Samuel 2-4). His name was originally Eshbaal (1 Chronicles 8 ...
/i/ish-bosheth.htm - 15k

Ishbosheth (13 Occurrences)
... Man of shame or humiliation, the youngest of Saul's four sons, and the only one
who survived him (2 Samuel 2-4). His name was originally Eshbaal (1 Chronicles 8 ...
/i/ishbosheth.htm - 14k

Malki-shua (5 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Chronicles 8:33 And Ner begot Kish; and Kish begot Saul; and Saul begot
Jonathan, and Malchi-shua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. (See NIV). ...
/m/malki-shua.htm - 7k

Malchi-shua (5 Occurrences)
... (BBE WBS NAS). 1 Chronicles 8:33 And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and
Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi-shua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. ...
/m/malchi-shua.htm - 8k

Malchishua (5 Occurrences)
... 8:33 Ner became the father of Kish; and Kish became the father of Saul; and Saul
became the father of Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. ...
/m/malchishua.htm - 9k

Mal'chishu'a (5 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 1 Chronicles 8:33 And Ner begot Kish; and Kish begot Saul; and Saul begot
Jonathan, and Malchi-shua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. (See RSV). ...
/m/mal'chishu'a.htm - 7k

Abin'adab (10 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 8:33 And Ner begot Kish; and Kish begot Saul; and Saul begot Jonathan,
and Malchi-shua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. (See RSV). ...
/a/abin'adab.htm - 9k

Kish (18 Occurrences)
... 8:33 Ner became the father of Kish; and Kish became the father of Saul; and Saul
became the father of Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. ...
/k/kish.htm - 15k

Ner (17 Occurrences)
... 8:33 Ner became the father of Kish; and Kish became the father of Saul; and Saul
became the father of Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. ...
/n/ner.htm - 13k

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