Ishbosheth
이스보셋
Named at 2 Samuel 2:8 as the son of Saul. 2:8–9 says, “Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. He made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel”, and 2:10 says, “Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years.” At 2:12 Abner the son of Ner and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul go out from Mahanaim to Gibeon, and at 2:15 twelve go over for Benjamin and for Ishbosheth the son of Saul. The Korean Revised Version reads the name 아술 at 2:9, where WEB has “the Ashurites”. 2 Samuel 3:7–11 says that Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”, and that he could not answer Abner another word, because he was afraid of him; 3:13–15 that when David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Deliver me my wife Michal”, Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, Paltiel the son of Laish; 4:5–8 that Rechab and Baanah came to his house, struck him as he lay on his bed in his bedroom, killed him and beheaded him, and brought his head to David to Hebron; and 4:12 that David commanded his young men, and they killed them, and took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in Abner’s grave in Hebron.
Direct relationships 6
Open in the full graphCollected relationship evidence
Source-backed narrative relations; not independent historical verification. Legacy dates and coordinates are outside this review.
Collection & rightsSource evidence (7)
AI-assisted comparison with the cited narrative; not independent historical verification.
- 2SA 2:8–11, engwebp
8Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.
9He made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
10Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
11The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
- 2SA 2:12–17, engwebp
12Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
13Joab the son of Zeruiah and David’s servants went out, and met them by the pool of Gibeon; and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool and the other on the other side of the pool.
14Abner said to Joab, “Please let the young men arise and compete before us!” Joab said, “Let them arise!”
15Then they arose and went over by number: twelve for Benjamin and for Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of David’s servants.
16They each caught his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim.
17The battle was very severe that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before David’s servants.
- 2SA 3:6–11, engwebp
6While there was war between Saul’s house and David’s house, Abner made himself strong in Saul’s house.
7Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”
8Then Abner was very angry about Ishbosheth’s words, and said, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to your father Saul’s house, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and yet you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman!
9God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as the LORD has sworn to David, I don’t do even so to him:
10to transfer the kingdom from Saul’s house, and to set up David’s throne over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.”
11He could not answer Abner another word, because he was afraid of him.
- 2SA 3:12–16, engwebp
12Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “Whose is the land?” and saying, “Make your alliance with me, and behold, my hand will be with you to bring all Israel around to you.”
13David said, “Good. I will make a treaty with you, but one thing I require of you. That is, you will not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face.”
14David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I was given to marry for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines.”
15Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, Paltiel the son of Laish.
16Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go! Return!” and he returned.
- 2SA 4:1–3, engwebp
1When Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
2Saul’s son had two men who were captains of raiding bands. The name of one was Baanah and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin (for Beeroth also is considered a part of Benjamin;
3and the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and have lived as foreigners there until today).
- 2SA 4:5–8, engwebp
5The sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went out and came at about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth as he took his rest at noon.
6They came there into the middle of the house as though they would have fetched wheat, and they struck him in the body; and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.
7Now when they came into the house as he lay on his bed in his bedroom, they struck him, killed him, beheaded him, and took his head, and went by the way of the Arabah all night.
8They brought the head of Ishbosheth to David to Hebron, and said to the king, “Behold, the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life! The LORD has avenged my lord the king today of Saul and of his offspring.”
- 2SA 4:9–12, engwebp
9David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity,
10when someone told me, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ thinking that he brought good news, I seized him and killed him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news.
11How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house on his bed, should I not now require his blood from your hand, and rid the earth of you?”
12David commanded his young men, and they killed them, cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in Abner’s grave in Hebron.
AI-assisted, human review pending, 2026-09-26
Machine comparison on 2026-10-07: the wording raised none of the 3 rules against the passages this entry cites. No person has read it.
Unresolved interpretation: The sons of Saul named at 1 Samuel 14:49 and 31:2
- 1 Samuel 14:49 says, “Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua”; the Korean Revised Version writes the second name 리스위.
Source evidence (1)
AI-assisted comparison with the cited narrative; not independent historical verification.
- 1SA 14:49–51, engwebp
49Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal.
50The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the captain of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle.
51Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
- 1SA 14:49–51, engwebp
- 1 Samuel 31:2 says, “The Philistines overtook Saul and his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul,” and 31:6 says, “So Saul died with his three sons, his armor bearer, and all his men that same day together.”
Source evidence (1)
AI-assisted comparison with the cited narrative; not independent historical verification.
- 1SA 31:1–6, engwebp
1Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain on Mount Gilboa.
2The Philistines overtook Saul and his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.
3The battle went hard against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was greatly distressed by reason of the archers.
4Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through and abuse me!” But his armor bearer would not, for he was terrified. Therefore Saul took his sword and fell on it.
5When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell on his sword, and died with him.
6So Saul died with his three sons, his armor bearer, and all his men that same day together.
- 1SA 31:1–6, engwebp
- 2 Samuel 2:8–9 says, “Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. He made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel”, and 2:10 says, “Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years.” The Korean Revised Version reads the name 아술 at 2:9, where WEB has “the Ashurites”.
Source evidence (1)
AI-assisted comparison with the cited narrative; not independent historical verification.
- 2SA 2:8–11, engwebp
8Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.
9He made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
10Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
11The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
- 2SA 2:8–11, engwebp
1 Samuel 14:49 names the sons of Saul as Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua; 31:2 names the sons of Saul whom the Philistines killed as Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, and 31:6 says that Saul died with his three sons. 2 Samuel 2:8–10 names Ishbosheth the son of Saul, whom Abner had taken and brought over to Mahanaim and made king, and who was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel. Both editions give the second name of 14:49 and 31:2 differently (Ishvi and Abinadab, 리스위 and 아비나답), and both give Ishbosheth (이스보셋) a name other than either. The text does not say whether Ishvi is the same man as Abinadab or as Ishbosheth. This collection records the three names apart and does not decide whether any two of them are one man.
Unresolved interpretation: Eshbaal and Merib-baal of 1 Chronicles 8 and 9
- 2 Samuel 2:8 says, “Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.” 4:4 says that Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son who was lame in his feet, and ends, “His name was Mephibosheth.” 9:12 says, “Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica.”
Source evidence (3)
AI-assisted comparison with the cited narrative; not independent historical verification.
- 2SA 2:8–11, engwebp
8Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.
9He made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
10Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
11The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
- 2SA 4:4, engwebp
4Now Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the news came about Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel; and his nurse picked him up and fled. As she hurried to flee, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.
- 2SA 9:9–13, engwebp
9Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s son.
10Till the land for him—you, your sons, and your servants. Bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have bread to eat; but Mephibosheth your master’s son will always eat bread at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
11Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so your servant will do.” So Mephibosheth ate at the king’s table like one of the king’s sons.
12Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. All who lived in Ziba’s house were servants to Mephibosheth.
13So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. He was lame in both his feet.
- 2SA 2:8–11, engwebp
- 1 Chronicles 8:33–34 and 9:39–40 both say, “Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal. The son of Jonathan was Merib-baal. Merib-baal became the father of Micah.”
Source evidence (2)
AI-assisted comparison with the cited narrative; not independent historical verification.
- 1CH 8:33–40, engwebp
33Ner became the father of Kish. Kish became the father of Saul. Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
34The son of Jonathan was Merib-baal. Merib-baal became the father of Micah.
35The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz.
36Ahaz became the father of Jehoaddah. Jehoaddah became the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri became the father of Moza.
37Moza became the father of Binea. Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son.
38Azel had six sons, whose names are these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.
39The sons of Eshek his brother: Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
40The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons, and grandsons, one hundred fifty. All these were of the sons of Benjamin.
- 1CH 9:39–44, engwebp
39Ner became the father of Kish. Kish became the father of Saul. Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
40The son of Jonathan was Merib-baal. Merib-baal became the father of Micah.
41The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz.
42Ahaz became the father of Jarah. Jarah became the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri became the father of Moza.
43Moza became the father of Binea, Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son.
44Azel had six sons, whose names are Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. These were the sons of Azel.
- 1CH 8:33–40, engwebp
2 Samuel 2:8 names Ishbosheth the son of Saul, 4:4 Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, and 9:12 Mica the son of Mephibosheth. 1 Chronicles 8:33–34 and 9:39–40 name Eshbaal among the sons of Saul, Merib-baal the son of Jonathan, and Micah, whom Merib-baal fathered. Both editions write the first two names otherwise: the Korean Revised Version reads 이스보셋 and 에스바알, 므비보셋 and 므립바알, and WEB Ishbosheth and Eshbaal, Mephibosheth and Merib-baal. The Korean Revised Version writes 미가 in both books, and WEB Mica in 2 Samuel 9:12 and Micah in 1 Chronicles. The text does not say whether they are the same men. This collection records the Eshbaal, Merib-baal and Micah of 1 Chronicles as names of its lists, linked to no entry of 2 Samuel, and does not decide whether they are the same men.
All 6 relationships: AI-assisted, human review pending
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Saul (son of Kish) — Father of — Ishbosheth
Evidence: 2 Samuel 2:8–11, 2 Samuel 2:12–17, 2 Samuel 3:12–16, 2 Samuel 4:5–8
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Took part in (5) — Abner brings Ishbosheth the son of Saul over to Mahanaim and makes him king, Abner is very angry about Ishbosheth’s words over Rizpah, Saul’s concubine, David requires Michal, and Ishbosheth takes her from her husband Paltiel, Saul’s son hears that Abner is dead in Hebron, and his hands become feeble, Rechab and Baanah strike Ishbosheth as he lies on his bed, and bring his head to David at Hebron
A relationship with an event rests on the passages the event cites: each event’s page has them.
Verses tagged with this entry
Names in the World English Bible text that carry this entry’s tag. They are carried over from the tags on the Korean Revised Version, which are matched by name inside chapters that already have collected evidence, and a verse where the English says “he” carries none. All await human review. They are a separate list from the source passages above. An empty list does not mean the entry is absent from the text.
Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.
Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
Then they arose and went over by number: twelve for Benjamin and for Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of David’s servants.
Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”
Then Abner was very angry about Ishbosheth’s words, and said, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to your father Saul’s house, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and yet you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman!
David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I was given to marry for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines.”
Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, Paltiel the son of Laish.
The sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went out and came at about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth as he took his rest at noon.
They brought the head of Ishbosheth to David to Hebron, and said to the king, “Behold, the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life! The LORD has avenged my lord the king today of Saul and of his offspring.”
David commanded his young men, and they killed them, cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in Abner’s grave in Hebron.
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[Bibliadatum entry report]
Entry: Ishbosheth (person-ishbosheth)
Address: https://bibliadatum.org/en/wiki/person/ishbosheth
Current wording: Named at 2 Samuel 2:8 as the son of Saul. 2:8–9 says, “Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. He made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel”, and 2:10 says, “Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years.” At 2:12 Abner the son of Ner and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul go out from Mahanaim to Gibeon, and at 2:15 twelve go over for Benjamin and for Ishbosheth the son of Saul. The Korean Revised Version reads the name 아술 at 2:9, where WEB has “the Ashurites”. 2 Samuel 3:7–11 says that Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”, and that he could not answer Abner another word, because he was afraid of him; 3:13–15 that when David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Deliver me my wife Michal”, Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, Paltiel the son of Laish; 4:5–8 that Rechab and Baanah came to his house, struck him as he lay on his bed in his bedroom, killed him and beheaded him, and brought his head to David to Hebron; and 4:12 that David commanded his young men, and they killed them, and took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in Abner’s grave in Hebron.
Cited evidence: 2SA 2:8–11, engwebp / 2SA 2:12–17, engwebp / 2SA 3:6–11, engwebp / 2SA 3:12–16, engwebp / 2SA 4:1–3, engwebp / 2SA 4:5–8, engwebp / 2SA 4:9–12, engwebp
Review state: ai-assisted / human-review-pending
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