Bible Figure
Merab
elder daughter of Saul
Merab was Saul's elder daughter, first promised to David but ultimately given in marriage to Adriel the Meholathite.
Biography
First Samuel 18 says Saul offered Merab to David as wife if David continued fighting the Lord's battles, while Saul secretly hoped the Philistines would kill him. When the time came, however, Merab was given to Adriel. Second Samuel 21 contains a textual issue in some manuscripts and translations involving Merab and Michal in connection with Adriel's sons; the traditional Hebrew text there reads Michal although Merab is Adriel's wife in 1 Samuel.
Biblical Significance
Merab's story belongs to Saul's manipulative dealings with David. Her record also requires care because of the well-known textual difficulty in 2 Samuel 21:8.