Name and Meaning:
Ishbaal, also known as Ishbosheth, was a son of King Saul and a figure in the biblical narrative of the early monarchy in Israel. The name "Ishbaal" means "man of Baal," which reflects the syncretistic tendencies in Israel during the time when Baal worship was prevalent. The name "Ishbosheth," meaning "man of shame," is often used in the biblical text, likely reflecting a later editorial choice to avoid the association with Baal.

Biblical References:
Ishbaal is primarily mentioned in the books of 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. His account is intertwined with the transition of power from the house of Saul to David. The Berean Standard Bible provides the following key passages:

· 2 Samuel 2:8-10 : "Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Ishbosheth son of Saul, brought him over to Mahanaim, and made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel. Ishbosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned for two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David."

· 2 Samuel 3:6-7 : "During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner strengthened his own position in the house of Saul. Now Saul had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah, and Ishbosheth said to Abner, 'Why have you slept with my father’s concubine?'"

· 2 Samuel 4:5-7 : "Now Rechab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, set out and arrived at the house of Ishbosheth in the heat of the day while he was taking his midday rest. 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."

Historical Context:
Ishbaal's reign occurred during a tumultuous period in Israel's history, marked by civil strife and the struggle for power following the death of Saul. After Saul's death at the Battle of Mount Gilboa, the kingdom was divided. David was anointed king over Judah, while Ishbaal was installed as king over the northern tribes by Abner, Saul's military commander. This division led to a prolonged conflict between the house of Saul and the house of David.

Role and Significance:
Ishbaal's reign was largely characterized by his dependence on Abner, who was the real power behind the throne. The biblical narrative suggests that Ishbaal lacked the strong leadership qualities of his father Saul and was unable to unify the tribes of Israel under his rule. His confrontation with Abner over Rizpah, Saul's concubine, led to Abner's defection to David, further weakening Ishbaal's position.

The assassination of Ishbaal by Rechab and Baanah, who sought favor with David, marked the end of Saul's dynasty. David's reaction to Ishbaal's murder, as recorded in 2 Samuel 4:9-12, demonstrates his respect for the anointed king and his commitment to justice, as he ordered the execution of the assassins.

Theological Implications:
Ishbaal's account highlights the themes of divine providence and the legitimacy of David's kingship. Despite the political machinations and human failings, God's sovereign plan to establish David as king over a united Israel prevailed. Ishbaal's inability to maintain his rule serves as a contrast to David's divinely ordained leadership, emphasizing the biblical principle that true authority comes from God.

Legacy:
Ishbaal's brief and troubled reign is a reminder of the instability that can arise from a lack of divine guidance and moral integrity. His account is a cautionary tale about the dangers of political ambition and the consequences of straying from God's covenant. Despite his tragic end, Ishbaal's role in the biblical narrative underscores the transition from the era of the judges and the tribal confederation to the establishment of the Davidic monarchy, which would have lasting significance for the history of Israel and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.ISHBAAL

ish'-ba-al.

See ISH-BOSHETH.

A Shepherd Boy who was Called to Lead a Nation
... Now Abner, the commander of Saul's army, had taken Ishbaal the son of Saul and brought
him over to Mahanaim and made him ruler over Gilead and all Israel. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a shepherd boy who was.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The name Jerubbaal (1 Samuel 12:11:2 Samuel 11:21, where the name is transformed
into Jerubbesheth, as Ishbaal and Meribbaal are into Ishbosheth and ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Ishbaal (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ISHBAAL. ish'-ba-al. See ISH-BOSHETH.
Multi-Version Concordance Ishbaal (3 Occurrences). 2 Samuel ...
/i/ishbaal.htm - 7k

Jashobeam (3 Occurrences)
... But "Jashobe am" here (1 Chronicles 11:11) is probably an error for "Ishbaal," the
reading of many of the manuscripts of the Septuagint (HPN, 46, note). ...
/j/jashobeam.htm - 10k

Zabdiel (2 Occurrences)
... ZABDIEL. zab'-di-el (zabhdi'el, "my gift is El (God)"; Zabdiel): (1) Father of
Jashobeam (1 Chronicles 27:2), or rather Ishbaal (Curtis, Chronicles, 290). ...
/z/zabdiel.htm - 7k

Jerubbesheth (1 Occurrence)
... by later editors of the text for ba`al, "lord," in the text of Jeremiah 3:24 Hosea
9:10; in 2 Samuel 2:8, etc., we find Ish-bosheth = Eshbaal (Ishbaal) in 1 ...
/j/jerubbesheth.htm - 8k

Jeshebeab (1 Occurrence)
... Kittel and Gray (HPN, 24) read with Septuagint, A, "Ishbaal"; the name is omitted
in Septuagint (Codex Vaticanus) and the change in Massoretic Text as well as ...
/j/jeshebeab.htm - 7k

Ishaiah (1 Occurrence)

/i/ishaiah.htm - 6k

Ishbah (1 Occurrence)

/i/ishbah.htm - 7k

Ashbelite (1 Occurrence)
... In 1 Chronicles 7:6-11 (6) "Jediael" ("known to God") is substituted for
the heathen-sounding "Ashbel" ("Ishbaal," "man of Baal"). ...
/a/ashbelite.htm - 7k

Ashbel (3 Occurrences)
... In 1 Chronicles 7:6-11 (6) "Jediael" ("known to God") is substituted for
the heathen-sounding "Ashbel" ("Ishbaal," "man of Baal"). ...
/a/ashbel.htm - 8k

List (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 11:11 This is the list of David's men of war: Ishbaal, the son of a
Hachmonite, the chief of the three: he put to death three hundred at one time ...
/l/list.htm - 14k

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