Difference between revisions of "Ishbosheth"

<p> ("man of shame"); substituted for his original name Esh-baal (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 8:33; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 9:39) in contempt of Baal, from some connection of the family with whom he had been named; so Jerub-baal, Jerub-besheth (&nbsp;Judges 8:35; &nbsp;Hosea 9:10). (See &nbsp;ABNER; DAVID.) [[Youngest]] of Saul's four sons, and his successor according to eastern usage, though [[Mephibosheth]] (whose name was similarly changed from Meribbaal), son of his oldest brother Jonathan, was alive. At Mahanaim, the ancient sanctuary E. of Jordan, beyond the reach of the [[Philistine]] conquerors, he was raised to the throne by [[Abner]] his valiant kinsman (&nbsp;2 Samuel 2:8). This was after a five years' interregnum during which the [[Philistines]] and David had the country divided between them; for David had reigned according to &nbsp;2 Samuel 2:10-11 "seven years and six months" over [[Judah]] in the old capital Hebron, while [[Ishbosheth]] reigned only "two years." </p> <p> Even northern and eastern Israel, but for Abner, was inclined to have accepted David (&nbsp;2 Samuel 2:7; &nbsp;2 Samuel 3:17). Ishbosheth was 35 at the battle of Gilboa, and 40 when, by Abner's influence, after a five years' effort he ascended the throne "over all Israel" except Judah. His charge against Abner of connection with his father Saul's concubine [[Rizpah]] was, in eastern usage, tantamount to a charge of treasonously aspiring to the throne (&nbsp;2 Samuel 3:7; compare &nbsp;1 Kings 2:13-22). Abner in a passion vowed to transfer the kingdom to David. Ishbosheth did not dare to answer; and when David, sending the message to Ishbosheth direct, required him to restore his former wife Michal, Ishbosheth, constrained by Abner, forced his sister to leave her weeping husband [[Phaltiel]] and accompany Abner to David (&nbsp;2 Samuel 3:13-16), for her restoration was demanded by David as the first preliminary in treating with Abner. </p> <p> Abner's death deprived Ishbosheth of the last prop of his throne; "his hands were feeble, and all the [[Israelites]] were troubled" (&nbsp;2 Samuel 4:1). Two sons of [[Rimmon]] of Beeroth, formerly a [[Canaanite]] city leagued with [[Gibeon]] (&nbsp;Joshua 9:17), [[Baana]] and Rechab, captains of marauding "bands" which used to make raids on Judah (&nbsp;2 Samuel 3:22; &nbsp;2 Samuel 4:2), took this opportunity of revenging Saul's slaughter of their kinsmen the [[Gibeonites]] (2 Samuel 21) on Ishbosheth. Pretending to fetch wheat from the inner court for their men, in the still noon when Ishbosheth was taking his midday sleep on his bed, they smote and took away his head, making their escape all that night through the valley of the Jordan. </p> <p> Presenting it to David, as though it would be a welcome gift because [[Saul]] the father had been David's "enemy who sought his life," and suppressing mention of their own murderous treachery, they with hypocritical profanation of God's name said: "Behold ... the Lord hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul and his seed." But David reproached them with their wicked murder of "a righteous person in his own house upon his bed," and commanded his young men to slay them, and to hang up over the pool in [[Hebron]] their severed hands and feet. The head of Ishbosheth was duly buried in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron. </p>

<p> &nbsp;Ish-bo'sheth. &nbsp;(man of shame). The youngest of Saul's four sons, and his legitimate successor. (B.C. 1068). Ish-bosheth was "forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years." &nbsp;2 Samuel 3:10. </p> <p> During these two years, he reigned at Mahanaim, though only in name. The wars and negotiations with David were entirely carried on by Abner. &nbsp;2 Samuel 2:12; &nbsp;2 Samuel 3:6; &nbsp;2 Samuel 3:12. The death of Abner deprived the house of Saul, of its last remaining support. When Ish-bosheth heard of it, "his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled." He was murdered in his bed. </p>

<p> The son of Saul; (&nbsp;&nbsp;2 Samuel 2:8) a man of shame; from Ish, a man; and bosh, shame. </p>