It is not clear if Ish-bosheth's reign was for two years only, or if this is a literary device to tie his rule to that of Saul (1 Samuel 13:1). Both are rebellious kings and both will share the same fate (see 1 Samuel 31:4, 1 Samuel 31:9; 2 Samuel 4:7). If he did reign only for two years, we need to consider how his rule corresponds with that of David. According to Scripture (2 Samuel 2:11; 2 Samuel 5:5), David reigned in Hebron for a total of seven years and six months. Then, after the death of Ish-bosheth, he was made king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:1–4). Many commentators believe that the two-year reign of Ish-bosheth corresponds to the sixth and seventh year of David’s reign in Hebron.1 In this understanding, Abner was a war lord for five years. He took a considerable amount of time to establish borders in the face of Philistine opposition. Having done so, he then legitimized his power through one of Saul’s sons.2 Alternatively, Ish-bosheth came into power immediately after the death of Saul, concurrent with David’s installation as king in Judah. There is then a period of five years between the death of Ish-bosheth and all Israel coming to recognize David as king, or a long period between David’s recognition as king and his decision to capture Jerusalem. Ultimately, we must admit that the precise chronology is not clear and we do not know how the two years of Ish-bosheth’s reign at Mahanaim corresponded with the seven and a half years of David’s reign at Hebron.3
10 Isch-Boscheth, fils de Saül, était âgé de quarante ans, lorsqu'il devint roi d'Israël, et il régna deux ans. Il n'y eut que la maison de Juda qui resta attachée à David.