The move to Mahanaim was likely due to the growing influence and control of the Philistines over the northern (see 1 Samuel 31:7) and southwestern regions of Israel (see 1 Samuel 27:5–6).1 Mahanaim was in the east, across the Jordan River and thus safe from Philistine attack. This would have been a good place from which to replenish and establish Ish-bosheth’s rule.2
8 But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim,