Topical Encyclopedia Ish-Bosheth, also known as Eshbaal, was the son of King Saul and reigned as king over Israel for a brief period following the death of his father and brothers at the Battle of Mount Gilboa. His reign is primarily documented in the Second Book of Samuel, where he is depicted as a somewhat weak and ineffectual ruler, heavily reliant on the military prowess and political acumen of his commander, Abner.Background and Reign After the death of Saul, the kingdom of Israel was divided. While David was anointed king over the tribe of Judah and established his capital in Hebron, Ish-Bosheth was made king over the northern tribes of Israel, largely through the influence of Abner, Saul's cousin and the commander of his army. Ish-Bosheth's reign lasted for two years, during which time he struggled to assert his authority and maintain control over the tribes. Conflict with David The relationship between Ish-Bosheth and David was marked by tension and conflict. David, who had been anointed by the prophet Samuel as the future king of Israel, was seen as a rival to Ish-Bosheth's claim to the throne. The house of Saul and the house of David were engaged in a prolonged conflict, with skirmishes and battles occurring between their respective forces. A significant turning point in Ish-Bosheth's reign came when he accused Abner of sleeping with Saul's concubine, Rizpah. This accusation led to a rift between Ish-Bosheth and Abner, prompting Abner to defect to David's side, offering to bring the northern tribes under David's rule. Abner's defection significantly weakened Ish-Bosheth's position. Assassination and Aftermath Ish-Bosheth's reign came to a tragic end when he was assassinated by two of his own captains, Rechab and Baanah, who sought to curry favor with David by presenting him with Ish-Bosheth's severed head. However, their actions were met with condemnation rather than reward. David, who had consistently shown respect for Saul's house and had previously mourned the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, was appalled by the murder of Ish-Bosheth. In 2 Samuel 4:9-12 , David's response to the murderers is recorded: "But David answered Rechab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, when someone told me, "Look, Saul is dead," and thought he was bringing me good news, I seized him and put him to death in Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news! How much more, when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed, should I not now demand his blood from your hand and rid the earth of you!' So David commanded his young men, and they killed them. They 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." David's actions in avenging Ish-Bosheth's murder demonstrate his commitment to justice and his respect for the sanctity of life, even that of a rival. This episode further solidified David's reputation as a righteous leader and paved the way for his unification of the tribes of Israel under his kingship. Nave's Topical Index 2 Samuel 4:9-12And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity, Nave's Topical Index Library Book I. Resources Summary of the Book of 2 Samuel - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgWho was Joab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is the significance of the land of Gilead in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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