2 Samuel 4:4

And Jonathan, &c. Before proceeding to narrate the murder of Ish-bosheth, the historian inserts a remark which implies that with his death the cause of Saul's house would necessarily become hopeless, as its only other legitimate representative was a lame child of twelve years old.

out of Jezreel Where the Israelite camp was pitched before the fatal battle of Gilboa. See note on 1 Samuel 29:1.

Mephibosheth Called in 1 Chronicles 8:34; 1 Chronicles 9:40, Merib-baal. Bosheth(="shame") has been substituted for the detested name of Baal, as in the name Ish-bosheth for Esh-baal. See note on ch. 2 Samuel 2:8. Merib-baalmeans "one who contends with Baal:" Mephibosheth, "exterminator of shame." For his subsequent history see chaps. 9, 16, 2 Samuel 19:24 ff.