Name and Meaning:
Ish-bosheth, meaning "man of shame," was the son of King Saul and his concubine Rizpah. His original name was Eshbaal, meaning "man of Baal," but it was later changed, likely to avoid the association with the Canaanite deity Baal (1 Chronicles 8:33; 2 Samuel 2:8).

Biblical References:
Ish-bosheth is primarily mentioned in the books of 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. His account is detailed in 2 Samuel chapters 2 through 4.

Historical Context:
After the death of King Saul and his sons at the Battle of Mount Gilboa, Ish-bosheth was made king over Israel by Abner, the commander of Saul's army. This occurred around 1010 BC. His reign was marked by division, as David was simultaneously anointed king over the tribe of Judah in Hebron (2 Samuel 2:4, 2:8-10).

Reign and Conflict with David:
Ish-bosheth reigned for two years over Israel, excluding the tribe of Judah, which followed David. His rule was characterized by a power struggle with David, who was gaining strength and support. The house of Saul, represented by Ish-bosheth, and the house of David were in conflict, leading to a prolonged war between the two factions (2 Samuel 3:1).

Role of Abner:
Abner played a crucial role in Ish-bosheth's reign. Initially, he was a staunch supporter of Saul's house and helped establish Ish-bosheth as king. However, a falling out occurred between Abner and Ish-bosheth over a personal dispute involving Rizpah, Saul's concubine (2 Samuel 3:6-11). This led Abner to defect to David's side, offering to bring all Israel under David's rule (2 Samuel 3:12-21).

Assassination and Death:
Ish-bosheth's reign came to an abrupt end when he was assassinated by two of his own captains, Baanah and Rechab, who sought favor with David by bringing him Ish-bosheth's head (2 Samuel 4:5-8). However, David condemned their actions, executing them for their treachery and giving Ish-bosheth a proper burial in the tomb of Abner in Hebron (2 Samuel 4:9-12).

Theological Significance:
Ish-bosheth's account highlights the themes of divine providence and the legitimacy of David's kingship. Despite being Saul's heir, Ish-bosheth's weak leadership and reliance on Abner contrast with David's God-ordained rise to power. His assassination underscores the instability and moral decline within Saul's house, paving the way for the unification of Israel under David, as ordained by God.

Legacy:
Ish-bosheth's brief and troubled reign serves as a reminder of the consequences of political ambition and the importance of aligning with God's chosen leadership. His life and death illustrate the transition from the house of Saul to the Davidic dynasty, which would ultimately lead to the establishment of Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of Israel.

The King.
... made it the nucleus of a feeble and lingering opposition to David, headed by Saul's
cousin Abner, and rallying round his incompetent son Ishbosheth.[Q] The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/ix the king.htm

David and Jonathan's Son
... Saul and three of his four sons had fallen on the fatal field of Gilboa; the fourth,
the weak Ishbosheth, had been murdered after his abortive attempt at ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/david and jonathans son.htm

How David Reigned Over one Tribe at Hebron While the Son Of
... other sons, were fallen in the battle, he made haste into the camp; and taking away
with him the remaining son of Saul, whose name was Ishbosheth, he passed ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how david reigned.htm

The Historical Books.
... first at Hebron over the tribe of Judah, with the accompanying war between the house
of Saul and the house of David, and then, after Ishbosheth's death, over ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

Ish-bosheth's (1 Occurrence)
Ish-bosheth's. Ish-bo'sheth, Ish-bosheth's. Ishhod . Multi-Version
Concordance Ish-bosheth's (1 Occurrence). 2 Samuel ...
/i/ish-bosheth's.htm - 6k

Ish-bo'sheth (13 Occurrences)
... Ish-bosheth, Ish-bo'sheth. Ish-bosheth's . ... (See RSV). 2 Samuel 3:11 And so great
was Ish-bosheth's fear of Abner that he was not able to say a word in answer ...
/i/ish-bo'sheth.htm - 10k

Rechab (13 Occurrences)
... (1.) One of Ishbosheth's "captains of ... of Beeroth, son of Rimmon (2 Samuel 4:2); he
and his brother Baanah were "captains" of the military host of Ish-bosheth. ...
/r/rechab.htm - 15k

Ashhur (2 Occurrences)
... Thenius and Wellhausen, is untenable, for during the reign of Ish-bosheth Geshur
was ... Furthermore Geshur was too far away from the rest of Ishbosheth's territory ...
/a/ashhur.htm - 8k

Ishhod (1 Occurrence)

/i/ishhod.htm - 6k

Rechabites (4 Occurrences)
... records: (1) A Benjamite of the town of Beeroth, son of Rimmon (2 Samuel 4:2); he
and his brother Baanah were "captains" of the military host of Ish-bosheth. ...
/r/rechabites.htm - 13k

Mahanaim (15 Occurrences)
... Here Saul's son Ishbosheth reigned (2 Samuel 2:8, 12), while David reigned
at Hebron. Here also, after a troubled reign, Ishbosheth...
/m/mahanaim.htm - 18k

Ashurites (2 Occurrences)
... Mentioned among those over whom Ish-bosheth was made king (2 Samuel 2:9). Int. ... The
tribe of Asher lay where it would naturally fall to Ish-bosheth's kingdom. ...
/a/ashurites.htm - 8k

Benjamin (167 Occurrences)
... After the death of Saul they formed the backbone of Ish-bosheth's party, and most ...
and went over by number: twelve for Benjamin, and for Ishbosheth the son of ...
/b/benjamin.htm - 50k

Who were Rechab and Baanah? | GotQuestions.org

What is the story of David and Ish-Bosheth? | GotQuestions.org

What is the story of Abner and Joab? | GotQuestions.org

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