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Although the Bible states that Ishbosheth was 40 years old when he became king and that his reign lasted two years, scholars have found that these figures are incorrect. More likely, he was quite young, and his reign equaled that of David’s reign at Hebron, about 7.5 years.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Ish-bosheth was 40 years old at this time and reigned for two years (2 Samuel 2:10). However, after the death of King Saul, the tribe of Judah seceded from the rule of the House of Saul by proclaiming David as its king ( 2 Samuel 2:4 ), and war ensued ( 2 Samuel 2:12 ).
He took Saul's son Ishbosheth across the Jordan River to Mahanaim 9 and made him king of Israel, including the areas of Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin. 10 Ishbosheth was 40 years old at the time, and he ruled for two years.
Ish-Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years. The tribe of Judah, however, remained loyal to David. New Living Translation
Length of the reigns of Ishbosheth over Israel, and David at Hebron. The age of Ishbosheth is given, as is generally the case at the commencement of a reign. He was forty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years; whereas David was king at Hebron over the house of Judah seven years and a half.
Ishbosheth was 40 years old at this time and reigned over Israel 2 years (2 Samuel 2:10). Judah, however, proclaimed David its king. The consequence was war (2 Samuel 2:12).
Ish-bosheth was reportedly 40 years old at this time and reigned over Israel for two years (2 Samuel 2:10). However, 2 Samuel 3:1 indicates a longer period. Scholars believe Ish-bosheth may have been younger than 40 when he came to the throne, and that he probably reigned for closer to seven years.
