Ishbosheth

Ishbosheth was a son of King Saul who survived the disaster at Gilboa. With Saul and three of his brothers dead, the army commander Abner installed Ishbosheth as king over Israel, while the tribe of Judah anointed David at Hebron (2 Samuel 2:8–10).

A weak reign

Ishbosheth reigned two years, but real power lay with Abner, and "there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David," with David growing ever stronger (2 Samuel 3:1). When Ishbosheth rebuked Abner, the commander abandoned him for David.

Assassination

Left without his protector, Ishbosheth was murdered in his bed by two of his own captains, who brought his head to David hoping for reward. David, who had never sought Saul's house's blood, executed the murderers instead (2 Samuel 4:5–12). His death cleared the way for David to reign over all Israel.