Bible Dictionary
Ish-bosheth
Ish-bosheth, originally called Eshbaal, was a son of Saul who was made king over much of Israel after Saul’s death. He reigned from Mahanaim for two years before being murdered by his own captains.
Definition
Ish-bosheth, originally called Eshbaal, was a son of Saul and his surviving successor. Through Abner’s influence he became king over Israel, while David ruled Judah. He reigned from Mahanaim for two years and was murdered by his own captains.
Biblical Usage
Ish-bosheth’s reign formed part of the conflict between the house of Saul and the house of David. After his murder, David condemned and executed the assassins rather than rewarding them.
Historical Background
Ish-bosheth was about forty when Saul and three of his brothers died at Gilboa. His capital was Mahanaim east of the Jordan. His name in Samuel is “man of shame,” whereas Chronicles gives Eshbaal, “man of Baal.”
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Man of shame or humiliation, the youngest of Saul’s four sons, and the only one who survived him (2 Sam. 2-4). His name was originally Eshbaal (1 Chr. 8:33; 9:39). He was about forty years of age when his father and three brothers fell at the battle of Gilboa. Through the influence of Abner, Saul’s cousin, he was acknowledged as successor to the throne of Saul, and ruled over all Israel, except the tribe of Judah (over whom David was king), for two years, having Mahanaim, on the east of Jordan, as his capital (2 Sam. 2:9). After a troubled and uncertain reign he was murdered by his guard, who stabbed him while he was asleep on his couch at mid-day (2 Sam. 4:5-7); and having cut off his head, presented it to David, who sternly rebuked them for this cold-blooded murder, and ordered them to be immediately executed (9-12).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ish-bo'-sheth (ish-bosheth, "man of shame"' Iesbosthe): Called 'eshba`al, "man of Baal" (1Ch 8:33), and yishwi, "man of Yahweh" (?), perhaps for 'isheyo (1Sa 14:49). Compare ESHBAAL and ISHVI (the King James Version "Ishui"). We probably have the right meaning of the name in Eshbaal and Ishvi, the words Baal and Yahweh being frequently interchanged. The change to Ish-bosheth, "man of shame," in 2 Samuel, where the story of his shameful murder is related, may be better explained as reference to this (see MEPHIBOSHETH, whose name was also changed from Merib-baal for similar reasons), than to find here a suggestion of Baal-worship, but see HPN, 121, where the change is explained as a correction of the scribes, in consequence of prophetic protests.</p><p>One of the sons of Saul (1Ch 8:33; 9:39; 1Sa 14:49) who, when his father and brothers were slain in the battle of Gilboa (1Sa 31:1), was proclaimed king over Israel by Abner, the captain of Saul's host, at Mahanaim (2Sa 2:8). Ishbosheth was 40 years old at this time and reigned over Israel 2 years (2Sa 2:10). Judah, however, proclaimed David its king. The consequence was war (2Sa 2:12). The house of David prevailed against the house of Saul (2Sa 3:1), but the war did not come to a close until Abner, angry on account of the rebuke he suffered from Ish-Bosheth for his unlawful intimacy with Rizpah, Saul's concubine, joined David (2Sa 3:6). David's condition to return to him Michal, his wife before peace could be made, was fulfilled by Ish-Bosheth (2Sa 3:14 f), but it was not until after Abner's death that Ish-Bosheth seems to have given up hopes of retaining his power (2Sa 4:1). The shameful murder of Ish-Bosheth by his own captains is recorded in 2Sa 4:5 ff. David punished the murderers who had expected reward and buried Ish-Bosheth in the grave of Abner at Hebron (2Sa 4:12 f).</p><p>Arthur L. Breslich</p>