National Geographic explores notable biblical figures in our ongoing series People in the Bible, as part of our coverage of the history of the Bible and the search for sacred texts.
Rizpah was the daughter of Aiah and concubine to King Saul, with whom she had and two sons: Armoni and Mephibosheth (II Samuel 3:7; 21:8,10-11).
After Saul’s death, the commander-in-chief of his army, Abner, took a fancy to Rizpah and planned to marry her. If he did, he would become the guardian of Rizpah’s children who were heirs of the late king. (Discover how Ruth and Boaz fell in love.)
Ishbaal, the contested king supported by the northern tribes of Israel, saw this as a threat and lashed out at Abner. The general then promptly switched his allegiance to David, the king supported by Israeli leaders in the south, and promised to “bring all Israel over to you” (II Samuel
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