“Ishbosheth”

 Ish-bosheth is a Hebrew name meaning “Man of Shame”.

Two Kings

Saul and his son’s were killed in battle with the Philistines. A leadership vacuum has been created for Israel. We know that Saul had been anointed by God to be the first king, but this did not pass on to his children, or other family members. It was when God anointed David to be king that a succession had been established. David did not immediately become king, God had a plan that was still in progresss.

Ishbosheth, was Saul’s only remaining son. He was not a child, he was a 40 year old man. The question is, why wasn’t he present in the battle with his father? Using a military term, was he more interested in being “in the rear with the gear”, or perhaps more interested is staying in the comfort of King Saul’s palace?

Although a King is a King, responsible for economic, political, and military matters. There are others who operate under a King and often take control, but not responsibility. For Ishbosheth, this comes in the form of Abner. Abner was Saul’s military commander. In the court of Saul, Abner was the second in command of Israel. As with all the other Kingdoms around Israel, this problem has existed into the current world. Court intrigue is always a problem.

The difference between King Ishbosheth and King David is God. David knows he was already anointed to replace Saul as the King of Israel, but he had the patience and faith to do what God had told him. For now, David is the King of the tribe of Judah, and others from other tribes come to follow him.

“10Ishbosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.

11And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.”

Things will change.

Stay Tuned…