Ish-bosheth (ĭsh'bô'sheth or ĭsh'bo-sheth), man of shame. Son and successor of Saul, who was persuaded by Abner to go up to Mahanaim and assume the government while David reigned at Hebron, 2 Samuel 2:8; 2 Samuel 2:11; and all Israel except Judah acknowledged him as kins. A severe battle soon after occurred at Gibeon, between the army of David, under Joab, and the army of Ish-bosheth, under Abner, in which the latter was utterly defeated. Abner was killed afterward by Joab. Ish-bosheth, thus deprived of his strongest supporter, was assassinated at noonday upon his bed, after a brief reign of two years. 2 Samuel 4:5-7.