Ishbosheth was but a weak and incompetent representative of the house of Saul, while David was pre-eminently qualified to bear the responsibilities of the kingdom. Abner, the chief agent in raising Ishbosheth to kingly power, had been commander-in-chief of Saul's army, and was the most distinguished man in Israel. Abner knew that David had been appointed by the Lord to the throne of Israel, but having so long hunted and pursued him, he was not now willing that the son of Jesse should succeed to the kingdom over which Saul had reigned.

David var fuldt ud kvalificeret til at bære en konges ansvar, mens Isjbosjet kun var en svag og uduelig repræsentant for Sauls hus. Abner var hovedmanden bag Isjbosjets udråbelse til konge. Han havde været øverstbefalende i Sauls hær og var den mest fremtrædende mand i Israel. Abner vidste godt, at Herren havde valgt David til Israels konge, men han havde stræbt ham efter livet så længe, at han ikke ville gå med til, at Isajs søn kom på tronen i det rige, som Saul havde været konge over.