In brief
Ish-bosheth is a son of Saul. After his father's death, Abner, commander of the army, makes him king over Israel, while the house of Judah stays loyal to David at Hebron. He is forty years old and reigns two years. During the long war between the two houses, he depends on Abner, whom he dares not contradict. After Abner's death, he loses courage and two of his captains murder him in his own house.
What does the name Ish-bosheth mean?
Ish-bosheth is generally understood as man of shame. Chronicles calls him Eshbaal (1 Chronicles 8:33), and many think the word shame replaced the name of Baal in the books of Samuel, so as not to pronounce the name of this false god. The Bible does not itself comment on this change.
The story of Ish-bosheth
Made king by Abner
2 Samuel 2:8-11After Saul's death, Abner, commander of his army, takes Ish-bosheth and brings him over to Mahanaim. He makes him king over Gilead, Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel. Ish-bosheth is forty years old and reigns two years. Only the house of Judah stays with David, who reigns at Hebron.
The war between two houses
2 Samuel 2:12-17; 3:1The servants of Ish-bosheth, led by Abner, meet those of David, led by Joab, at the pool of Gibeon. The battle is very fierce, and Abner is defeated. The war lasts a long time: David grows stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grows weaker and weaker.
A king who fears his general
2 Samuel 3:6-11Ish-bosheth accuses Abner of going in to Rizpah, Saul's concubine. Abner is furious and swears to transfer the kingdom to David, as the Lord has sworn to David. Ish-bosheth cannot answer Abner a single word, because he is afraid of him.
Michal returned to David
2 Samuel 3:12-16Abner proposes an alliance to David, who first demands the return of Michal, Saul's daughter. David sends to ask Ish-bosheth for his wife, who has her taken from her husband Paltiel. He follows her weeping as far as Bahurim, before being made to turn back.
Murdered in his own house
2 Samuel 4:1-8When Ish-bosheth hears that Abner has died at Hebron, his hands become feeble and all Israel is troubled. Two of his captains of raiding bands, Rechab and Baanah, enter his house during his midday rest, kill him and cut off his head, which they bring to David.
David does justice
2 Samuel 4:9-12David refuses to rejoice at this murder. He declares that wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house on his bed, and he has Rechab and Baanah put to death. The head of Ish-bosheth is buried in the tomb of Abner at Hebron.
What Ish-bosheth teaches us
- Power that does not rest on God's calling remains fragile, even when strong men support it.
- Fear of people paralyzes: Ish-bosheth dares not answer the man on whom he depends.
- No one can lastingly oppose God's purpose, who had promised the kingdom to David.
- David shows that God's promises must not be fulfilled through violence and injustice.
Key verses
“Now there was long war between Saul’s house and David’s house. David grew stronger and stronger, but Saul’s house grew weaker and weaker.” Ish-bosheth's reign declines before the man God has chosen.
“He could not answer Abner another word, because he was afraid of him.” The king actually depends on the commander of his army, a sign of the weakness of his reign.
David speaks of Ish-bosheth as a righteous person slain in his own house on his bed. He refuses to have the throne handed to him through the murder of his rival.
“Unless Yahweh builds the house, they who build it labor in vain.” Abner wanted to keep the house of Saul together around Ish-bosheth, but God had chosen David.
Bible verses to meditate on
Frequently asked questions
Why did Ish-bosheth become king?
After Saul's death, Abner, the commander of the army, made him king over Israel at Mahanaim (2 Samuel 2:8-9). No prophet anointed him in the Lord's name: his power rests on Abner. Yet the Lord had already chosen David, whom the house of Judah followed at Hebron.
What does the name Ish-bosheth mean?
Ish-bosheth is generally translated man of shame. In 1 Chronicles 8:33 he is called Eshbaal, and many think the word shame replaces the name of Baal in the books of Samuel. The word baal could mean master, but it also evoked the false god Baal.
Where can I find Ish-bosheth's story in the Bible?
His story is read in 2 Samuel 2 to 4: his installation as king in 2 Samuel 2:8-10, his conflict with Abner in 2 Samuel 3:6-11, the return of Michal in 2 Samuel 3:14-15 and his death in 2 Samuel 4:5-12. Chronicles names him Eshbaal.