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Ish-bosheth

Ish-bosheth (1095-1048 BC), also known as Ishbaal, was King of Israel from 1055 to 1048 BC, succeeding Saul and preceding David.

Biography[]

Ish-bosheth was the son of King Saul and the younger brother of Jonathan. Following the deaths of his father and brothers at the Battle of Mount Gilboa in 1055 BC, Ish-bosheth was acclaimed as king by his father's captain Abner, and he reigned over Israel while the rival claimant David ruled over Judah. War broke out between the two in 1053 BC, but, in 1048 BC, Ish-bosheth alienated Abner by accusing him of attempting to usurp the throne by marrying his father's concubine Rizpah. Abner defected to the Davidian cause, only to be assassinated by Joab. Aaron's death demoralized and led to Ish-bosheth's surrender, and he allowed David to remarry his sister Michal to unify the two kingdoms. However, Ish-bosheth was assassinated by his former lieutenants Rechab and Baanah, who were executed by David for their cruel act; Ish-bosheth was buried alongside Abner.

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