Evil begets further evil as sinful people tend to respond sinfully to being sinned against. It is a vicious cycle that spirals ever downward in corruption and misery. But our mighty God is able to not only stay the hand of wickedness, but even use it for His greater good, yet without sin. Ish-bosheth’s bloody assassination, though vile and deserving of the judgment it received, nevertheless paved the way for David to ascend the throne, anticipating David’s greater Son who would bring forth ultimate good from ultimate evil on the cross.