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1 Samuel 18:19

1 Samuel 18:19 in Multiple Translations

So when it was time to give Saul’s daughter Merab to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah.

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.

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.

But when the time came to give Merab, Saul's daughter, to David, she was given to Adriel of Meholath.

However, when the time came to give Merab, Saul's daughter, to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah instead.

Howbeit when Merab Sauls daughter should haue bene giuen to Dauid, she was giuen vnto Adriel a Meholathite to wife.

And it cometh to pass, at the time of the giving of Merab daughter of Saul to David, that she hath been given to Adriel the Meholathite for a wife.

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

But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given to Adriel the Meholathite to wife.

And it came to pass at the time when Merob the daughter of Saul should have been given to David, that she was given to Hadriel the Molathite to wife.

So, when it was time for Merab to be given to David to become his wife, instead, Saul gave her to a man named Adriel, from Meholah town.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 18:19

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Samuel 18:19 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יְהִ֗י בְּ/עֵ֥ת תֵּ֛ת אֶת מֵרַ֥ב בַּת שָׁא֖וּל לְ/דָוִ֑ד וְ/הִ֧יא נִתְּנָ֛ה לְ/עַדְרִיאֵ֥ל הַ/מְּחֹלָתִ֖י לְ/אִשָּֽׁה
וַ/יְהִ֗י hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בְּ/עֵ֥ת ʻêth H6256 time Prep | N-cs
תֵּ֛ת nâthan H5414 to give V-Qal-Inf-a
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
מֵרַ֥ב Mêrâb H4764 Merab N-proper
בַּת bath H1323 Bath (Shua) N-fs
שָׁא֖וּל Shâʼûwl H7586 Shaul N-proper
לְ/דָוִ֑ד Dâvid H1732 David Prep | N-proper
וְ/הִ֧יא hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Conj | Pron
נִתְּנָ֛ה nâthan H5414 to give V-Niphal-Perf-3fs
לְ/עַדְרִיאֵ֥ל ʻAdrîyʼêl H5741 Adriel Prep | N-proper
הַ/מְּחֹלָתִ֖י Mᵉchôlâthîy H4259 Meholathite Art | Ngmsa
לְ/אִשָּֽׁה ʼishshâh H802 woman Prep | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 18:19

וַ/יְהִ֗י hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
בְּ/עֵ֥ת ʻêth H6256 "time" Prep | N-cs
Eth means time, especially now or when, and can refer to an event, experience, or occasion. It is often used to describe a specific moment or period.
Definition: 1) time 1a) time (of an event) 1b) time (usual) 1c) experiences, fortunes 1d) occurrence, occasion
Usage: Occurs in 258 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after, (al-) ways, [idiom] certain, [phrase] continually, [phrase] evening, long, (due) season, so (long) as, (even-, evening-, noon-) tide, (meal-), what) time, when. See also: Genesis 8:11; 2 Chronicles 35:17; Psalms 1:3.
תֵּ֛ת nâthan H5414 "to give" V-Qal-Inf-a
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
מֵרַ֥ב Mêrâb H4764 "Merab" N-proper
Merab was a daughter of King Saul, mentioned in 1 Samuel, and the sister of Jonathan and Michal. She was married to Adriel and had several half-brothers, including Ish-bosheth and Mephibosheth.
Definition: A woman of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.14.49; daughter of: Saul (H7586G) and Ahinoam (H0293); married to Adriel (H5741); sister of: Jonathan (H3083H), Abinadab (H0041H), Malchi-shua (H4444) and Michal (H4324); half-brother of: Ish-bosheth (H0378), Armoni (H0764) and Mephibosheth (H4648H) Also named: mi.khal (מִיכַל "Merab" H4324H) § Merab = "increase" the eldest daughter of king Saul; promised to David but given instead to Adriel the Meholathite; mother of 5 children
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: Merab. See also: 1 Samuel 14:49; 1 Samuel 18:17; 1 Samuel 18:19.
בַּת bath H1323 "Bath (Shua)" N-fs
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.
שָׁא֖וּל Shâʼûwl H7586 "Shaul" N-proper
Shaul is a personal name meaning desired, given to several individuals in the Bible, including a Benjamite who became the first king of Israel and a Levite living during the time of the Divided Monarchy. He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles and 1 Samuel.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.24; son of: Uzziah (H5818H); father of: Elkanah (H0511I); also called Joel at 1Ch.6.36; Also named: yo.el (יוֹאֵל "Joel" H3100U) § Saul or Shaul = "desired" 1) a Benjamite, son of Kish, and the 1st king of Israel 2) an early king of Edom and a successor of Samlah 3) a son of Simeon 4) a Levite, son of Uzziah
Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: Saul, Shaul. See also: Genesis 36:37; 1 Samuel 16:22; 1 Samuel 24:5.
לְ/דָוִ֑ד Dâvid H1732 "David" Prep | N-proper
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.
וְ/הִ֧יא hûwʼ H1931 "he/she/it" Conj | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
נִתְּנָ֛ה nâthan H5414 "to give" V-Niphal-Perf-3fs
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לְ/עַדְרִיאֵ֥ל ʻAdrîyʼêl H5741 "Adriel" Prep | N-proper
Adriel was an Israelite man who lived during the United Monarchy, and his name means 'flock of God'. He was the son of Barzillai and was married to Merab, who was initially promised to David.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.18.19; son of: Barzillai (H1271H); married to Merab (H4764) § Adriel = "flock of God" son of Barzillai, and the man to whom Saul gave his daughter Merab in marriage although she was already promised to David
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: Adriel. See also: 1 Samuel 18:19; 2 Samuel 21:8.
הַ/מְּחֹלָתִ֖י Mᵉchôlâthîy H4259 "Meholathite" Art | Ngmsa
A Mecholathite is someone from Abel-Mecholah, a place possibly named for its dancing, as seen in 1 Samuel 18:19 with Adriel and Barzillai. They were associated with this region. The term refers to the people from this area.
Definition: Someone descended from Meholath(?), first mentioned at 1Sa.18.19 § Meholathite = Mehola "of dancing" 1) an inhabitant of a place evidently named 'Meholah' 1a) ascribed to Adriel and Barzillai
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: Mecholathite. See also: 1 Samuel 18:19; 2 Samuel 21:8.
לְ/אִשָּֽׁה ʼishshâh H802 "woman" Prep | N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.

Study Notes — 1 Samuel 18:19

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Judges 7:22 And when the three hundred rams’ horns sounded, the LORD set all the men in the camp against one another with their swords. The army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath.
2 2 Samuel 21:8 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.
3 Judges 14:20 and his wife was given to one of the men who had accompanied him.

1 Samuel 18:19 Summary

[This verse tells us that Saul did not keep his promise to give his daughter Merab to David, and instead gave her to another man named Adriel. This shows that Saul was not a trustworthy person, and it is a reminder that our actions should reflect our true intentions, as seen in Matthew 5:37. We can learn from this verse to always strive to be people of our word and to trust in God's plan, even when things do not go as we had hoped, as stated in Jeremiah 29:11.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Saul give his daughter Merab to Adriel of Meholah instead of David?

Saul gave his daughter Merab to Adriel of Meholah instead of David because he was trying to renege on his promise to David, as seen in 1 Samuel 18:17-19, and this action is a fulfillment of the warning in Deuteronomy 23:21-23 that a person's actions will reflect their true intentions.

What does this verse reveal about Saul's character?

This verse reveals that Saul was a man who did not keep his promises, as seen in 1 Samuel 18:17-19, and this is a trait that is contrary to the nature of God, who is faithful and true to His promises, as stated in Numbers 23:19.

How does this event in David's life relate to his future as king?

This event in David's life shows that God was still working to bring about His plan for David to become king, despite the setbacks and disappointments, as seen in 1 Samuel 16:13 and Psalm 138:8.

What can we learn from David's response to this situation?

David's response to this situation is not recorded, but we can learn from his overall attitude of trust and obedience to God, as seen in Psalm 37:3-7 and Proverbs 3:5-6, which can be applied to our own lives when we face disappointments and setbacks.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do I respond when my plans and expectations are not met, and what can I learn from David's experience in this situation?
  2. In what ways can I trust God's sovereignty and timing in my life, even when things do not go as I had hoped?
  3. What are some areas in my life where I need to trust God's plan and provision, and how can I apply the lessons from this verse to those areas?
  4. How can I cultivate a heart of trust and obedience to God, like David, when faced with disappointments and setbacks?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 18:19

But it came to pass, at the time when Merab, Saul's daughter, should have been given to David,.... Either when the giving of her to him was talked of, or when the time fixed for her marriage was

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 18:19

And David said unto 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? No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 18:19

When Merab should have been given to David; when the marriage was even ready to be solemnized. Adriel the Meholathite, the son of Barzillei, as he is called, . This was an act of great injustice and perfidiousness; and accordingly this marriage was accursed by God, and the children begotten in it were by God’ s appointment cut off, 2 Samuel 21$.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 18:19

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.Ver. 19. At the time when Merab, &c.] This affront and disgrace was done to David purposely to provoke him (as is probable) to do or say something that might bring him under censure, and give Saul some colour to cut him off. But David was too hard for him that way too: leaving it to God to right his wrongs, as indeed he did notably when Merab’ s five sons by this Adriel were all hanged.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 18:19

(19) She was given unto Adriel.—Saul’s capricious wavering nature, so painfully prominent in the last part of his reign, displayed itself in this sudden change of purpose. It may have been brought about owing to some great fit of jealousy of David; or possibly the large gifts in money or valuables offered by the wealthy Adriel for the princess’s hand may have occasioned this arbitrary act of Saul. Such gifts to the father in return for the daughter’s hand were customary. In the case of such a prize as the Princess Merab, the gift would doubtless have been very costly. David, who was comparatively a poor man, was of course unable to show such liberality; besides, the young hero looked, no doubt, upon the marriage as the fulfilment of the old promise to the victor in the combat with the giant. The marriage, however, of the daughter of King Saul and Adriel was consummated, and was disastrous in its consequences. They had five sons, and they fell victims to the blood revenge exacted by the Gibeonites from the family of Saul: the five hapless youths were “hanged” (we read in 2 Samuel 21:9) “in the hill before the Lord.” These three verses (17-19) are entirely omitted by the LXX., apparently because they failed to see any reason for Saul’s sudden change of purpose.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 18:19

19. the Meholathite] Of Abel-Meholah, a town in the Jordan valley near Beth-shan. It was the birth-place of Elisha (1 Kings 19:16). Why Saul changed his purpose does not appear. It has been inferred from 1 Samuel 18:25 that Adriel had given a rich dowry.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 18:19

Adriel the Meholathite - The five sons of this marriage perished by the hands of the Gibeonites (marginal reference), where we learn further that the name of Adriel’s father, or ancestor, was Barzillai.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 18:19

19. She was given unto Adriel — In shameful violation of the king’s word. The Meholathite — Perhaps a native of Abel-Meholah, the home of Elisha, (1 Kings 19:16,) and whither Gideon’s three hundred men pursued the Midianites.

Sermons on 1 Samuel 18:19

SermonDescription
David Guzik (1 Samuel) Attacked, but Blessed by David Guzik In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of responding to manipulation with love and humility. He uses the example of the Roman soldiers and Jewish men during Jesus' time
John Piper (Education for Exultation) the Gideon Venture by John Piper In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Gideon from the Bible. Gideon is in a difficult situation, feeling weak and unsure of what to do. However, God arranges for Gide
Chuck Smith The Call of Gideon by Chuck Smith In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the story of Gideon from the book of Judges. Gideon was uncertain if God was really with him, so he asked for a sign. He put a fleece o
Alistair Begg Against All Odds by Alistair Begg In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Gideon from the book of Judges. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing our weakness and dependence on God. The speaker highl
Don McClure Hebrews 11:33-34 by Don McClure In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Gideon from the Bible. He emphasizes the battle that God has in our lives of bringing us to a place of obedience and building an

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