Ish Bosheth(esh baal)
“Man of shame (original: Esh-baal, man of Baal)”
Summary
The youngest son of Saul who was made king over Israel by Abner after Saul's death, ruling in opposition to David for about two years.
☩Name and Background
Ish-bosheth's original name appears to have been Esh-baal, meaning 'man of Baal.' The name was later changed to Ish-bosheth ('man of shame') to remove the scandalous sound of Baal from an Israelite king's name. He was the youngest of Saul's four sons and the only one to survive the battle of Gilboa where Saul and three older brothers perished.
☩Reign at Mahanaim
After Saul's death, Abner took Ish-bosheth to Mahanaim east of the Jordan, beyond the reach of the victorious Philistines. There Abner had him proclaimed king over all Israel except Judah, which followed David. Ish-bosheth was forty years old when he began to reign and ruled about two years. In reality, the power lay entirely with Abner, who conducted all wars and negotiations with David.
☩Conflict with Abner
Ish-bosheth accused Abner of an improper relationship with Rizpah, Saul's concubine—an act tantamount to treason in oriental custom. Abner responded with fury, vowing to transfer the kingdom to David. Ish-bosheth was too cowed to answer. When David demanded the return of his wife Michal, Ish-bosheth complied, tearing his sister from her weeping husband.
☩Assassination
After Abner's death at Joab's hands, Ish-bosheth's 'hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.' Two Beerothite captains, Baana and Rechab, murdered him while he slept, possibly avenging Saul's slaughter of Gibeonites. They brought his head to David expecting reward, but David condemned their treachery and had them executed.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ish-bosheth," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Ishbosheth," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Ishbosheth," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).