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ESHBAAL
King Saul’s fourth son, who became Israel’s king after his father’s death. Eshbaal literally means “man of Baal,” or “Baal exists” (1 Chr 8:33; 9:39). During the period of the judges and the early monarchy, many Hebrew names were compounded with “baal,” a word that can mean “master” or “possessor.” Later generations were reluctant to speak the name “baal,” so “bosheth” (shame) was substituted (cf. Hos 2:16-17). Thus, Eshbaal was altered to Ishbosheth (2 Sm 2:8), which means “man of shame.” Perhaps later copyists changed the name in the book of Samuel because it was read aloud in synagogue services, whereas Chronicles was not.
After the death of Saul and his older sons, Abner, commander of Saul’s army, installed Ishbosheth as Israel’s king (2 Sm 2:8-9). Judah’s tribe, however, followed King David, who struggled with Ishbosheth for leadership of all the tribes. The conflict lasted a long time, but the house of David gradually overwhelmed the house of Saul (3:1). Abner deserted Ishbosheth and was murdered by Joab, one of David’s men (v 27), thus removing an important leader of Israel and causing the people to despair (4:1). Soon afterward Ishbosheth was murdered by two of his captains (v 7). Although David disapproved of the deaths of Abner and Ishbosheth, the last obstacles to his kingship over all the tribes had been removed.
See also David; Israel, History of; Saul #2.