Även känd som: Eshbaal, Ish-Bosheth, Ishbosheth, Esh-Baal, Eshbaal
Det enade kungariketKingc. 1050–1008 BC
Ish-bosheth was the son of King Saul and was installed as king over Israel by the commander Abner after Saul's death. His short reign was marked by civil war against David, who ruled over Judah. He was eventually murdered by two of his own officers, paving the way for David's rule over all Israel.
After Saul's death, the commander Abner took Ish-bosheth and brought him to Mahanaim, where he was appointed king over Israel. He was forty years old at that time and reigned for two years.
Ish-bosheth's reign as king was marked by a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. David's side grew steadily stronger while the house of Saul became weaker.
1The war between the house of Saul and the house of David dragged on a long time. David grew steadily stronger, while the house of Saul grew steadily weaker.
8Abner was furious at Ish-bosheth's words and said, "Am I a dog's head from Judah? To this very day I have shown loyalty to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers and his friends, and I have not handed you over to David—and now you charge me with an offense over this woman!
When Ish-bosheth heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel was dismayed. Without his powerful commander, his position was weakened.
Two of Ish-bosheth's commanders, Rechab and Baana, entered his house at midday while he was resting and stabbed him in the belly. They took his head to David in Hebron.
5Rechab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon of Beeroth, set out and came to the house of Ish-bosheth in the heat of the day, while he was taking his midday rest.
6They came right inside the house while the wheat was being taken in, and they struck him in the belly. Then Rechab and his brother Baanah slipped away.
7They had entered the house while he lay on his bed in his bedroom, and they struck him down and killed him. They cut off his head, took it with them, and traveled all night by way of the Arabah.
11How much more, when wicked men have murdered an innocent man in his own house, on his own bed—shall I not now require his blood from your hands and rid the land of you?"
12So David gave the order to his men, and they killed them. They cut off their hands and feet and hung the bodies beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in Abner's tomb at Hebron.