Yesterday, I discussed how Saul’s last remaining son’s name was changed from Eshba’al (Fire of the Lord) to Ishboshesh (Man of Shame). Now, here’s what’s interesting. Scribes and editors did the same thing with God’s formal name! They replaced YHWH with words they thought were more acceptable if they found it offensive. While the tetragrammaton […]

Yesterday, I left you with a major cliffhanger. Why would Saul give one of his sons the pagan name Eshba’al? Well, here’s the answer. In those days, the word Ba’al had become a common part of the Hebrew language. However, the Israelites used the word to mean “lord,” as in a person with authority. It […]

Alrighty, let’s get our bearings on where we’re at. Yesterday, we talked about the name of Saul’s last remaining son Ishboshesh. Ishboshesh means “man of shame.” So we know there’s no way this can be his real name. However, in the Book of Kings, Ishbosheth is later referred to as Eshba’al. This was likely his […]

“Avner the son of Ner, commander of Sha’ul’s army, had taken Ish-Boshet the son of Sha’ul, brought him over to Machanayim…”-2 Samuel 2:8 Verse 8 shifts over from David’s southern headquarters in Hebron to the government headquarters of the northern tribal alliance. At this very moment, Saul’s top military commander, Avner, was the real power […]

“‘Be strong, and be brave. Sha’ul your lord is dead, but the house of Y’hudah have anointed me king over them.’” -2 Samuel 2:7 In verse 7, David tells the men of Jabesh to “be strong and be brave”? Why would he do that? How are these words connected to David’s offer of repayment and […]