1 Samuel 18:19
But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֗י
H1961
וַיְהִ֗י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּעֵ֥ת
But it came to pass at the time
H6256
בְּעֵ֥ת
But it came to pass at the time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
2 of 13
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
נִתְּנָ֛ה
should have been given
H5414
נִתְּנָ֛ה
should have been given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
3 of 13
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בַּת
daughter
H1323
בַּת
daughter
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
6 of 13
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
וְהִ֧יא
H1931
וְהִ֧יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
9 of 13
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
נִתְּנָ֛ה
should have been given
H5414
נִתְּנָ֛ה
should have been given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
10 of 13
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
2 Samuel 21:8But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite:Judges 7:22And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, unto Tabbath.
Historical Context
Adriel was from Abel-meholah in the Jordan Valley, possibly connected to the prominent clan associated with Elisha. Royal marriages were political arrangements; Saul may have seen greater advantage in the Meholathite alliance. Breaking marriage promises to subordinates carried social stigma but few practical consequences for kings.
Questions for Reflection
- When has God's apparent denial of expected blessing actually protected you from harm?
- How do you respond when those in authority break promises made to you?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.
Saul's broken promise - giving Merab to Adriel instead of David - reveals royal treachery. The Hebrew structure emphasizes the violation: 'at the time when...should have been given.' Saul broke his sworn word without apparent consequence. This betrayal, while painful, protected David from deeper entanglement with the deteriorating royal house. God's apparent failures to deliver expected blessings sometimes protect us from arrangements that would ultimately harm. Merab's descendants would later be executed (2 Samuel 21:8-9), suggesting David was spared involvement in that tragedy.