Ishbosheth Slain

The complaint of David that he lacked power to bring Joab to justice is followed by the notice that, hearing of Abner's death, Ishbosheth lost heart. The text states that his hands became feeble. He became a do-nothing king. His throne had lost its prop. But seeing that Abner had forsaken him and gone over to David it is not clear why he should have lost heart at this time. Perhaps he did not know or at least refused to believe that Abner was carrying out his threat. But this is not likely....