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 marked by political instability and internal strife, primarily due to the shifting allegiances of his key military leader, Abner.

Background and Ascension to the Throne

After the death of Saul, the kingdom of Israel was divided. David was anointed king over the tribe of Judah, while Ish-Bosheth was made king over the remaining tribes of Israel. This division set the stage for a prolonged conflict between the house of Saul and the house of David. Ish-Bosheth's reign was largely supported by Abner, the commander of Saul's army, who played a crucial role in establishing him as king. As recorded in 2 Samuel 2:8-9 , "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, and all Israel."

Conflict with David

The tension between Ish-Bosheth and David was marked by a series of skirmishes and battles. The house of Saul, under Ish-Bosheth's rule, struggled to maintain control and legitimacy in the face of David's growing influence and support. The conflict is detailed 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."

Desertion by Abner

The turning point in Ish-Bosheth's reign came when he accused Abner of misconduct with one of Saul's concubines, Rizpah. This accusation, whether true or not, deeply offended Abner and led to his defection to David's side. In 2 Samuel 3:7-10 , Ish-Bosheth's confrontation with Abner is recorded: "Now Saul had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah, and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, 'Why have you slept with my father’s concubine?' Abner was very angry over Ish-bosheth’s accusation. 'Am I a dog’s head from Judah?' he retorted. 'Today I show loyalty to the house of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends, and I have not delivered you into the hand of David. Yet you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman! May God punish Abner, and ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the LORD has sworn to him: to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.'"

Abner's defection was a significant blow to Ish-Bosheth's reign, as Abner was not only a military leader but also a key political figure who had the power to sway the allegiance of the tribes of Israel. Abner's decision to support David further weakened Ish-Bosheth's position and hastened the decline of his rule.

Aftermath and Assassination

Following Abner's defection, Ish-Bosheth's reign quickly unraveled. Without Abner's support, Ish-Bosheth lacked the military strength and political acumen to maintain his hold on the throne. His vulnerability was exploited by two of his own captains, Baanah and Rechab, who assassinated him in his sleep. This act of treachery 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."

Ish-Bosheth's assassination marked the end of Saul's dynasty and paved the way for David to become the undisputed king over all Israel. His brief and troubled reign serves as a testament to the challenges of leadership in a time of political division and the consequences of losing the support of key allies.2 Samuel 3:6-12
And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
Nave's Topical Index

The Kingdom of all Israel.
... of Gilboa, where the miserable man, deserted by God ... own tribe of Judah, while the
brave Abner kept the ... of the kingdom for Saul's son, Ishbosheth, until, taking ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vi the kingdom of.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... of Gilboa and the death of Saul"The struggle between Ish-bosheth and David ... into
Jerubbesheth, as Ishbaal and Meribbaal are into Ishbosheth and Mephibosheth ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Who was Rizpah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Abner in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Are there beheadings recorded in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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