📖WEB · 1 Samuel 18:19

What does 1 Samuel 18:19 mean?

"But at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as wife."

— 1 Samuel 18:19 (World English Bible)

Surrounding context

16

But all Israel and Judah loved David; for he went out and came in before them.

17

Saul said to David, “Behold, my elder daughter Merab, I will give her to you as wife. Only be valiant for me, and fight Yahweh’s battles.” For Saul said, “Don’t let my hand be on him, but let the hand of the Philistines be on him.”

18

David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my life, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?”

19

But at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as wife.

20

Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David; and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.

21

Saul said, I will give her to him, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Therefore Saul said to David, “You shall today be my son-in-law a second time.”

22

Saul commanded his servants, “Talk with David secretly, and say, ‘Behold, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you. Now therefore be the king’s son-in-law.’”

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