The Hebrew Bible recounts that Ish-bosheth's reign was marked by war with David's forces, as both factions vied for control and legitimacy.

According to biblical accounts, he was killed by two of his own army captains, Baanah and Rechab, who believed that assassinating Ish-bosheth would earn them favour with David.

This act not only brought a premature conclusion to Ish-bosheth's rule but also played a significant role in the subsequent unification of the kingdom under David's leadership.

David, however, refused to give any commendation for high treason; he had both killers executed and their hands and feet cut off.

He is exclusively called Ish-bosheth in the Books of Samuel in the Hebrew Bible: When he was assassinated and King David punished the killers: Meanwhile, in the Books of Chronicles, he is exclusively called Eshbaal: In 2012, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority, archaeologists had discovered a 3,000-year-old inscription on a reconstructed large ceramic jar found in Khirbet Qeiyafa, containing the name "Eshbaal ben Beda".