Reading for April 25th

 Read 2 Samuel 2.8-11. Abner was Saul's cousin or uncle ( 1 Sam 14.50). He is obviously the power behind Ishbaal's throne. The Hebrew text reads "Ish-bosheth" instead of "Ishbaal." Later scribes substituted the word "bosheth," meaning "abomination," for the name of the Canaanite god Baal. The word "baal" means "lord," rather indicating that Saul worshipped Baal, it may have been used as a title for the Lord (Yahweh). Mahanaim was east of the Jordan. Abner took Ishbaal there for protection because the Philistines had captured most of the Israelite territory. Thus the description of Ishbaal's domain in in v. 9 was more ideal than real at this point. Ashrites or "Assyrians" is impossible. A better reading is "Gerhurites," who lived east of the Sea of Galilee. Forty years (v. 10) is a round number for a generation. If Ishbaal reigned two years over Israel during David's seven years and six month over Judah, five and a half years remain unaccounted for. Either there was an interregnum in Israel after Saul's death before Ishbaal came to power, or David became king of Judah while Saul was still alive. Comments or Questions..