Archeology again proves the biblical account with Eshbaal inscription

Inscription mentions Eshbaal

Another archeological discovery supports what the Bible teaches in the Hebrew scriptures (AKA the Old Testament):

June 16, 2015

This undated photo released by the Israel Antiquities Authority, shows a 3.000 year old ceramic jar with inscription of a name mentioned in the Bible,“Eshbaal Ben Beda.” Israel’s antiquities authority says archaeologists have discovered a rare 3,000-year-old inscription of a name mentioned in the Bible. Eshbaal of the Bible was a son of King Saul. Archaeologists said Tuesday, June 16, 2015 it is the first time the name was discovered in an ancient inscription. It is one of only four inscriptions discovered from the biblical 10th century B.C. Kingdom of Judah, when King David is said to have reigned. (Tal Rogovski/Israel Antiquities Authority via AP) http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2015/06/16/israeli-archaeologists-find-inscription-of-name-from-bible

There has been a campaign by some that claim that much of what the Bible records around the time of David and Saul was a myth. But archeological evidence keeps being found which verifies the biblical account.

Here are the two directs passages in the Bible that mention tells about Solomon and Jerusalem:

33 Ner begot Kish, Kish begot Saul, and Saul begot Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal. (1 Chronicles 8:33)

39 Ner begot Kish, Kish begot Saul, and Saul begot Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal. (1 Chronicles 9:39)

This find is interesting as we get closer to the end that archeologists continue to find more evidence of biblical peoples, figures, and events.

Of course, for those of us who believe the Bible, no further proof is needed. But for some who have heard statements from pseudo-archaeologists that deny the biblical accounts, it may be helpful for them to realize that as time goes on, more and more archaeological evidence surfaces that supports the Bible.

As far as Eshbaal goes, he is believed to have been renamed as Ishobeth. Notice what two commentaries state:

Pulpit Commentary

Ishbosheth. This name signifies “man of shame,” that is, “man of the shameful thing,” the idol. Originally he was named Eshbaal (1 Chronicles 8:33; 1 Chronicles 9:39), that is “man of Baal,” the word esh being merely a dialectic variation for ish, equivalent to “man.” At this early date Baal was not the specific name of any idol, but simply meant “lord,” “master,” “husband.” In the earlier books of the Bible we find the word used of many local deities, who were lords of this or that, but had nothing in common with the Phoenician Baal, whose worship Ahab attempted to introduce into Israel. From that time Baal became a term of reproach, and Bosheth, “the shame,” was substituted for it in the old names of which it had formed part.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

2Sa 2:8-17. Abner Makes Ish-bosheth King over Israel.

8-17. Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host took Ish-bosheth—Here was the establishment of a rival kingdom, which, however, would probably have had no existence but for Abner.

Ish-bosheth—or “Esh-baal” (1Ch 8:33; 9:39). The Hebrews usually changed names ending with Baal into Bosheth (“shame”) (compare Jud 9:53 with 2Sa 11:21). This prince was so called from his imbecility.

Ishbosheth became king over Israel after Saul died:

8 But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim; 9 and he made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel. 10 Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. Only the house of Judah followed David. 11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. 12 Now Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. (2 Samuel 2:8-13)

Ishbosheth then made an accusation against his commander, who then defected to follow David:

7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”

8 Then Abner became very angry at the words of Ishbosheth, and said, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show loyalty to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman? 9 May God do so to Abner, and more also, if I do not do for David as the Lord has sworn to him — 10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.” 11 And he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.

12 Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to David, saying, “Whose is the land?” saying also, “Make your covenant with me, and indeed my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel to you.”

13 And David said, “Good, I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you: you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face.” 14 So David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” 15 And Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Paltiel the son of Laish. 16 Then her husband went along with her to Bahurim, weeping behind her. So Abner said to him, “Go, return!” And he returned. (2 Samuel 3:7-16)

Ishbosheth was later killed in his bed, then decapitated (2 Samuel 4:5-8), this was something that King David did not approve (2 Samuel 4:9-12).

Anyway, getting back to the archeological announcement, it provides further evidence of the accounts in the Bible. The Bible has proven trustworthy as it truly is.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Read the Bible Christians should read and study the Bible. This article gives some rationale for regular bible reading. Here is a link in Mandarin Chinese: 读圣经 Here is a link in the Spanish language: Lea la Biblia..
Bible: Superstition or Authority? Should you rely on the Bible? Is it reliable? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
How to Study the Bible David Jon Hill wrote this initially and Dr. Thiel added scriptures, tips, and suggestions to it. A 2015 sermon is available and is also titled How to Study the Bible.
What is the Appropriate Form of Biblical Interpretation? Should the Bible be literally understood? What do the writings of the Bible, Origen, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Augustine show?
Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future What does the Bible say about Jerusalem and its future? Is Jerusalem going to be divided and eliminated? Is Jesus returning to the area of Jerusalem? There is also a related YouTube video you can watch titled Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated.