A daughter of King Saul, sister of Jonathan, and wife of Adriel.
About Merab
Eldest of Saul’s two daughters (1 Sm 14:49), who was promised as a wife to David (18:17–18). Saul unexplainedly did not keep the agreement, instead giving him Michal.
Family Relationships
- Parents
- Saul (Son of Kish), Ahinoam
- Partner
- Adriel
- Siblings 5
- Jonathan, Abinadab (Son of Saul), Malchi-shua, Michal, Ish-bosheth
- Half-siblings 2
- Armoni, Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 21:8)
- Niece/Nephew
- Mephibosheth
Key References
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. His two daughters were named Merab (his firstborn) and Michal (his younger daughter).
Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” But Saul was thinking, “I need not raise my hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.”
So when it was time to give Saul’s daughter Merab to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah.
All Scripture References (4)
1 Samuel (3)
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. His two daughters were named Merab (his firstborn) and Michal (his younger daughter).
Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” But Saul was thinking, “I need not raise my hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.”
So when it was time to give Saul’s daughter Merab to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah.
2 Samuel (1)
But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons whom Rizpah daughter of Aiah had borne to Saul, as well as the five sons whom Merab daughter of Saul had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite.