King James Bible Dictionary

Man of shame or humiliation, the youngest of Saul's four sons, and the only one who survived him (2 Samuel 2-4). His name was originally Eshbaal (1 Chronicles 8:33; 9:39). He was about forty years of age when his father and three brothers fell at the battle of Gilboa. Through the influence of Abner, Saul's cousin, he was acknowledged as successor to the throne of Saul, and ruled over all Israel, except the tribe of Judah (over whom David was king), for two years, having Mahanaim, on the east of Jordan, as his capital (2 Samuel 2:9). After a troubled and uncertain reign he was murdered by his guard, who stabbed him while he was asleep on his couch at mid-day (2 Samuel 4:5-7); and having cut off his head, presented it to David, who sternly rebuked them for this cold-blooded murder, and ordered them to be immediately executed (9-12).

a man of shame

(man of shame) the youngest of Saul's four sons, and his legitimate successor. (B.C. 1068.) Ish-bosheth was "forty years old when he began to reign over Isr'l, and reigned two years." (2 Samuel 3:10) During these two years he reigned at Mahanaim, though only in name. The wars and negotiations with David were entirely carried on by Abner (2 Samuel 2:12; 3:6,12) The death of Abner deprived the house of Saul of its last remaining support. When Ish-bosheth heard of it, "his hands were feeble, and all the Isr'lites were troubled." He was murdered in his bed.