Mahanaim as retreat of Ishbosheth and David

Abstract

Mahanaim serves as retreat and alternative residence for a king in trouble in the narrative of David’s rise as well as in the succession narrative. First, it is Saul’s son Ishbosheth, who is made king in Mahanaim by his commander Abner after Saul’s death. Later, David escapes there from Absalom. Both kings cross the Jordan in a crisis situation and try to find refuge on the East Bank, in order to regain control of all of Israel. While Ishbosheth fails and is assassinated in Mahanaim, David succeeds and can return victoriously to Jerusalem. Given that in one important tradition of the Old Testament, the Jordan is the country’s frontier, retreating or fleeing to a place on the East Bank is astounding and requires closer scrutiny.