2 Samuel 2:8

“But Abner, the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, etc.] This man’s father, Ner, was Saul’s uncle, (<091450>1 Samuel 14:50), and he was his own cousin, and being general of his army, a post he was willing to keep, might be the reasons for doing what he did, as follows: took Ishbosheth the son of Saul; and who seems to be his only son left, except what he had by his concubine. This man’s name is Eshbaal in (<130833>1 Chronicles 8:33 9:39). Baal is the name of a shameful idol, and which was therefore sometimes called Bosheth, “shame”. (see <280910>Hosea 9:10); wherefore such names of men, which had Baal in them, were changed for Besheth or Bosheth, as the names of Jerubbaal and Meribbaal, who…”

“ABNER MAKES ISH-BOSHETH KING OVER ISRAEL. (Sa2 2:8-17) Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host took Ish-bosheth--Here was the establishment of a rival kingdom, which, however, would probably have had no existence but for Abner. Ish-bosheth--or "Esh-baal" (Ch1 8:33; Ch1 9:39). The Hebrews usually changed names ending with Baal into Bosheth ("shame") (compare Jdg 9:53 with Sa2 11:21). This prince was so called from his imbecility. Abner--was first cousin of Saul, commander of the forces, and held in high respect throughout the country. Loyalty to the house of his late master was mixed up with opposition to David and views of personal ambition in his originating this factious movement. He,…”

“Mahanaim - See Genesis 32:2. From 2 Samuel 2:12 it would seem to have been Ish-bosheth’s capital. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Abner - Tho' ambition and desire of rule, because he knew that Ishbosheth would have only the name of king, whilst he had the power. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 2:9”

“2:8 Abner: See study note on 1 Sam 20:25. • Mahanaim was located east of the Jordan River, deep in the highlands of Gilead near a plentiful source of fresh water. Saul and his family had close ties to Gilead (1 Sam 11:1-11; 31:11-13). Locating east of the Jordan made Ishbosheth’s regime less susceptible to attack by David’s forces. This same area was later King David’s temporary refuge after Absalom’s coup (2 Sam 17:24, 27). • Ishbosheth means “man of shame.” His original name, Esh-baal, means “man of Baal.” The name Baal (“lord, master, possessor”) was associated with a pagan Canaanite deity (e.g., see Num 25:3), so it is likely that Ishbosheth’s name was later changed because of that…”

“Abner: Sa1 14:50, Sa1 17:55, Sa1 26:14 Saul's host: Heb. the host which was Saul's Ishbosheth: Sa2 3:7, Sa2 3:8, Sa2 4:5, Sa2 4:6; Ch1 8:33, Ch1 9:39, Esh-baal Mahanaim: Sa2 17:26, Sa2 17:27; Gen 32:2 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 2:9”

“Promotion of Ishbosheth to be king over Israel. - The account of this is attached to the foregoing in the form of an antithesis: "But Abner, the chief captain of Saul (see at Sa1 14:50), had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and led him over to Mahanaim." Ishbosheth had probably been in the battle at Gilboa, and fled with Abner across the Jordan after the battle had been lost. Ishbosheth (i.e., man of shame) was the fourth son of Saul (according to Ch1 8:33; Ch1 9:39): his proper name was Esh-baal (i.e., fire of Baal, probably equivalent to destroyer of Baal). This name was afterwards changed into Ishbosheth, just as the name of the god Baal was also translated into Bosheth ("shame," Hos…”