Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Samuel 2:8

8 ¶ But Abner the son of Ner , captain of Sauls host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim .

Partly, out of envy and malice against David; and partly, out of his own ambition and desire of Rule, because he knew that Ishbosheth would have onely the name of King, whilst he had the power.

Called also Eshbaal, 1 Chron. 8. 33. and 9. 39. It being usual with the Hebrews, instead of Baal, the name of false gods, to put Bosheth, which signifies shame, or confusion, or a shameful thing; as appeareth by comparing Iudg. 9. 53. with 2 Sam. 11. 21. and 2 Sam. 4. 4. with 1 Chron. 8. 34. and from Ier. 3. 24. Hos. 9. 10.

A place beyond Iordan, whither he carried him; partly, to secure those Brave and Valiant Men of Iabesh-Gilead to himself; and principally because this place was most remote from David, and from the Philistines too; and therefore here he might recruit his Forces with less disturbance than in other places.

Marginal references: Heb. the host which was Saul's.; Or, Eshbaal. 1 Chr. 8. 33.