“Ish-Boshet the son of Sha’ul was forty years old when he began to rule over Isra’el, and he ruled for two years. But the house of Y’hudah followed David. David was king in Hevron over the house of Y’hudah for seven years and six months.”-2 Samuel 2:10-11
I think we might have a chronology problem on our hands.
In verses 10 and 11, we’re told Ishobosheth ruled over Israel (the northern tribes) for only 2 years, while David ruled over Judah for 7 1/2 years.
We know that David became King of Judah around the same time Avner made Ishbosheth king after Saul.
And in the next chapter, we’ll see David take over Ishbosheth’s kingdom.
So what’s up with the 5 1/2-year difference?
Any way you slice the logic tomato, David and Ishbosheth’s length of rulership should be about the same.
What gives?
Well, here’s where rabbinical reasoning shines brilliantly.
Lemme break it down for ya according to what the sages in the Hebrew hood have to say.
So again, verse 10 clearly states that Ishbosheth ruled over “Israel” for two years, right?
And back then, “Israel” referred ONLY to the northern tribes united under one king, correct?
Now do you remember yesterday I talked about how Avner planned for Ishbosheth to slowly rebuild the kingdom, tribe by tribe, until he ruled over all of Israel?
Well, that gradual process of gaining back northern territorial loyalties took 5 1/2 years.
Only then did Ishboshesh begin his rule over Israel (again, meaning only the ten northern tribes).
From that point, Ishbosheth was on the throne for only 2 years until David took over the northern kingdom.
So there ain’t no contradiction at all.
Hope you enjoyed this.
Cause this is all I’ve got for you today.
See ya all next time.
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