Topical Encyclopedia Esh-baal, also known as Ish-bosheth, is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. He was the son of King Saul, the first king of Israel, and is primarily known for his brief reign as king over Israel following the death of his father and brothers in battle.Name and Meaning: The name Esh-baal means "man of Baal" in Hebrew. The name reflects the cultural and religious influences of the time, as Baal was a common title for various local deities in the ancient Near East. In the biblical narrative, the name Ish-bosheth, meaning "man of shame," is often used instead, likely reflecting a later editorial choice to distance the character from associations with Baal worship. Biblical Narrative: Esh-baal's account is primarily found in 2 Samuel 2-4. After the death of Saul and his sons at the Battle of Mount Gilboa, Esh-baal was made king over Israel by Abner, the commander of Saul's army. This occurred while David was anointed king over the tribe of Judah in Hebron. The division of the kingdom led to a prolonged conflict between the house of Saul and the house of David. 2 Samuel 2:8-10 states: "Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, brought him over to Mahanaim, and made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin—over all Israel. Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David." Reign and Conflict: Esh-baal's reign was marked by instability and conflict. The power struggle between the house of Saul and the house of David was characterized by a series of skirmishes and political maneuvers. Abner, the real power behind Esh-baal's throne, eventually defected to David's side, recognizing David's divine anointing and the inevitability of his rule over all Israel. 2 Samuel 3:6-10 describes this turning point: "During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner strengthened his own position in the house of Saul. Now Saul had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah, and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, 'Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?' Abner was very angry over Ish-bosheth’s accusation. 'Am I a dog’s head from Judah?' he asked. 'All this time I have been loyal to the house of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends, and I have not delivered you into the hand of David. Yet now you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman! May God punish Abner, and ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the LORD has sworn to him: to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.'" Assassination and Aftermath: Esh-baal's reign came to an abrupt end when he was assassinated by two of his own captains, Rechab and Baanah, who sought to gain favor with David. They brought Esh-baal's head to David, expecting a reward, but David condemned their treachery and had them executed. 2 Samuel 4:8-12 recounts this event: "They brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, 'Here is the head of Ish-bosheth son of Saul, your enemy who sought your life. Today the LORD has granted vengeance to my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.' But David answered Rechab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who has delivered me from all distress, when someone told me, "Look, Saul is dead," and thought he was bringing me good news, I seized him and put him to death in Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news! How much more, when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed, should I not now require his blood from your hand and remove you from the earth!' So David commanded his young men, and they killed them, cut off their hands and feet, and hung their bodies by the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in Abner’s tomb in Hebron." Legacy: Esh-baal's brief and troubled reign highlights the tumultuous period of transition from the rule of Saul to the establishment of David's monarchy. His account serves as a reminder of the complexities of leadership and the consequences of political ambition and betrayal. Despite his association with the house of Saul, Esh-baal's life and death ultimately paved the way for the unification of Israel under David, fulfilling God's promise to establish David's lineage as the rightful rulers of Israel. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary Esh-Baalthe fire of the idol, or of the ruler Strong's Hebrew 792. Eshbaal -- "man of Baal," a son of Saul... 791, 792. Eshbaal. 793 . "man of Baal," a son of Saul. Transliteration: Eshbaal Phonetic Spelling: (esh-bah'-al) Short Definition: Eshbaal. ... Eshbaal. ... /hebrew/792.htm - 6k Library The Israelites The Nations of the South-East The King. The Bright Dawn of a Reign Thesaurus Eshbaal (2 Occurrences)... 8. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ESHBAAL. esh'-ba-al. See ISH-BOSHETH. Multi-Version Concordance Eshbaal (2 Occurrences). 1 ... /e/eshbaal.htm - 7k Esh-baal (2 Occurrences) Ish-bosheth (14 Occurrences) Ishbosheth (13 Occurrences) Eshba'al (1 Occurrence) Malki-shua (5 Occurrences) Malchi-shua (5 Occurrences) Malchishua (5 Occurrences) Mal'chishu'a (5 Occurrences) Abin'adab (10 Occurrences) Resources What was Baal Peor in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Baal? | GotQuestions.org Why was the worship of Baal and Asherah a constant struggle for the Israelites? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Esh-baal (2 Occurrences)1 Chronicles 8:33 1 Chronicles 9:39 Subtopics Related Terms |
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