2 Samuel 2:8

8. Captain of Saul’s host Abner’s position and influence in the army rendered it meet for him, at the present emergency, to look after the interests of the family of his fallen king. His action in making Ishbosheth king may have been hastened by this message of David to the men of Jabesh-gilead.

Ishbosheth Called also Eshbaal. 1 Chronicles 8:33. He was the fourth and only surviving son of Saul

Mahanaim A place of importance on the east side of the Jordan, probably at the modern Mahneh, but its site has not been satisfactorily determined. See on Genesis 32:2, and Joshua 13:26. The reason of Abner’s anointing Ishbosheth king in one of the cities east of the Jordan was, because the chief cities of the west were now in the hands of Philistines, and Mahanaim was especially appropriate from its sacred associations.