Bible Figure

Adriel

Male • Old Testament
human biblical figure
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Adriel was the husband of Merab, daughter of Saul, and a man from Meholah.
Adriel

Biography

First Samuel says Saul had promised his daughter Merab to David but instead gave her to Adriel the Meholathite. Second Samuel 21 later mentions five sons associated with Adriel who were handed over to the Gibeonites during resolution of Saul's bloodguilt against them. The textual tradition of that verse has a well-known difficulty regarding whether the mother is named Merab or Michal; Merab fits the earlier statement that she was Adriel's wife.

Biblical Significance

Adriel's significance is mainly his connection to Saul's household. The textual issue in 2 Samuel 21 should be handled cautiously rather than harmonized silently.