Abner: See study note on 1 Samuel 20:25.
Mahanaim was east of the Jordan River, high in the hills of Gilead, near a source of fresh water. Saul and his family had a close connection to the region of Gilead (1 Samuel 11:1–11; 31:11–13). Because Mahanaim was east of the Jordan River, Ish-bosheth’s rule was harder for David’s forces to attack. Later, King David also used this same area as a temporary place of safety after Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 17:24, 27).
The name Ish-bosheth means “man of shame.” His original name was Esh-baal, which means “man of Baal.” Baal means “lord,” “master,” or “possessor,” and was also the name of a Canaanite god worshiped by Israel’s neighbors (see Numbers 25:3). Because of this association, Ish-bosheth’s name was likely changed later to avoid using the name of a foreign god.