David"s overtures to the Jabesh-gileadites were very important. Saul"s commander-in-chief and cousin, Abner, was working to install Saul"s youngest Song of Solomon , Ish-bosheth (called Eshbaal in 1 Chronicles 9:39), Abner"s nephew, as Saul"s successor. This was not a move that Yahweh had ordained (cf. 1 Samuel 13:14). David was God"s anointed. Abner, Saul"s cousin, was simply doing what was customary in the ancient Near East and in the process securing his own future. Mahanaim was only16 miles south of Jabesh-gilead in Transjordan. [1] It became the center for Saul"s supporters at this time (cf. 2 Samuel 2:29). [source][source][source]
Abner"s initiative ignited conflict between Saul"s and David"s houses that occupied the writer"s attention in 2 Samuel 2:8-32. This section is chiastic in its arrangement and focuses on Abner"s killing of Asahel ( 2 Samuel 2:18-23). [2] Whereas David was seeking peace and unity ( 2 Samuel 2:4-7), Abner was seeking power and victory ( 2 Samuel 2:8-32; cf. Psalm 120:7). [source][source][source]
Ish-bosheth (lit. man of shame, boshet, "shame," being substituted for baal, "lord" or "Lord," on occasion, cf. 1 Chronicles 8:33; 1 Chronicles 9:39; Jeremiah 3:24; Jeremiah 11:13; Hosea 9:10) appears only in chapters2-4. He may be the Ishvi of 1 Samuel 14:49. Since he did not die in battle with Saul and his brothers, he may have been somewhat cowardly. This possibility may find support in the fact that Abner, rather than Hebrews , was the real leader of Saul"s forces. The people of Judah made David their king ( 2 Samuel 2:4), but Abner single-handedly made Ish-bosheth king over "all Israel" ( 2 Samuel 2:9). This was not God"s will since God had chosen David to succeed Saul ( 1 Samuel 13:14). Abner"s act fueled conflict between the northern and southern inhabitants of the land. [source][source][source]
"The distinctive concepts of "Judah and Israel" evolved during David"s kingdom in Hebron, and after a period of reunification these entities were allowed to live on in the United Monarchy, though without an official division." [3][source]
When David eventually became king of all Israel and Judah, seven and one-half years later, he ended Ish-bosheth"s two-year reign. Evidently it took Abner over five years to establish Ish-bosheth on Israel"s throne. Abner put his personal preferences and cultural precedent (that a son of Saul would succeed his father) over God"s will. Consequently life became very complicated and problems followed in Israel, as always happens when people behave as Abner did. [source][source][source]