Ish-bosheth

(man of reproach or shame) (2 Sam 2:8) - a son of Saul, son of Kish. After Saul's death, Abner persuaded him to go to Mahanaim and assume the reins of government. While David reigned in Hebron, most of the people of Israel proclaimed Ish-bosheth their king by lawful succession when he was forty years old. A fierce and decisive battle took place near the pool of Gibeon between David's army under Joab and Ish-bosheth's under Abner, in which Abner suffered a severe defeat. Soon afterward Ish-bosheth insulted Abner, who therefore abandoned his cause and went over to David.

With Abner's death the house of Saul lost its last support. When Ish-bosheth heard of it, 'his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled' (2 Sam 4:1). At last, helpless, he himself was killed by two of his captains as he slept upon his bed at noon, in the heat of the day (2 Sam 4:1-8). The next day the murderers brought Ish-bosheth's head to David, but instead of the expected reward they were put to death at his command for their shameful deed. Ish-bosheth's head was buried in the tomb of his relative Abner at Hebron. He reigned only two years (2 Sam 2:10), and with his death the short-lived dynasty of Saul's house came to an end.