When Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, heard that Abner had died at Hebron, his courage failed, and all Israel was dismayed.
Here is, I. The weakness of Saul's house. Still it grew weaker and weaker. 1. As for Ishbosheth, who was in possession of the throne, his hands were feeble, Sa2 4:1. All the strength they ever had was from Abner's support, and now that he was dead he had no spirit left in him.
Commenting on 2 Samuel 4:1-8
And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron,.... By Saul's son is meant Ishbosheth, to whom tidings were soon brought of the death of Abner his general, and that he died in Hebron, where David his rival reigned, and was there murdered by Joab the general of his army: his hands were feeble: not only in a natural sense, being quite dispirited...
And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled. (a) That is, Ishbosheth. (b) Meaning, that he was discouraged.