Ishʹbosheth

in Dryden’s satire of Absalom and Achitophel, is meant for Richard Cromwell. His father, Oliver, is called Saul. At the death of Saul, Ishbosheth was acknowledged king by a party, and reigned two years, when he was assassinated. (Part i. 57, 58.)

“They who, when Saul was dead, without a blow,

Made foolish Ishbosheth the crown forego.”

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.