1 Samuel 18:19

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But it came to pass at the time {H6256} when Merab {H4764} Saul's {H7586} daughter {H1323} should have been given {H5414} to David {H1732}, that she was given {H5414} unto Adriel {H5741} the Meholathite {H4259} to wife {H802}.

Complete Jewish Bible

However, when it was time for Merav Sha'ul's daughter to be given to David, she was given to Adri'el the Mecholati as his wife.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 18:19 records King Saul's deliberate breach of his royal promise to David, withholding his eldest daughter Merab as a bride for the hero who defeated Goliath. Instead of honoring his word, Saul gave Merab to Adriel the Meholathite, an act driven by his escalating jealousy and fear of David's immense popularity and divine favor, marking a significant escalation in Saul's animosity and deceit towards David.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a critical narrative arc detailing the meteoric rise of David and the tragic decline of King Saul. Following David's iconic victory over Goliath in [1 Samuel 17](/1_samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath"), Saul had publicly promised his daughter's hand to the victor, along with wealth and tax exemption ([1 Samuel 17:25](/1_samuel/17-25 "1 Samuel 17:25 - Saul's Promise")). David's subsequent military successes and overwhelming popularity, exemplified by the women's song "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands" ([1 Samuel 18:7](/1_samuel/18-7 "1 Samuel 18:7 - The Women's Song")), ignited a deep-seated jealousy and paranoia in Saul ([1 Samuel 18:8-9](/1_samuel/18-8 "1 Samuel 18:8-9 - Saul's Jealousy Begins")). Saul's initial attempts to kill David with a spear ([1 Samuel 18:10-11](/1_samuel/18-10 "1 Samuel 18:10-11 - Saul's First Attempt on David's Life")) and his subsequent efforts to expose David to Philistine danger ([1 Samuel 18:17-18](/1_samuel/18-17 "1 Samuel 18:17-18 - Saul's Deceptive Offers")) precede this verse. The giving of Merab to Adriel is the culmination of Saul's increasing deceit and a direct violation of his royal oath, setting the stage for further conflict and Saul's continued attempts to eliminate David.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, royal promises, especially concerning marriage alliances, carried significant weight and were often considered binding covenants. Marrying into the royal family was a prestigious honor and a means of solidifying one's position and loyalty within the kingdom. Saul's promise of his daughter was not merely a personal offer but a public declaration intended to incentivize a champion for Israel. The act of giving a daughter in marriage was typically arranged by the father, and a breach of such a public promise, particularly by a king, would be seen as a serious moral and legal transgression, undermining the king's integrity and authority. The mention of "Adriel the Meholathite" indicates a marriage outside of the immediate royal or military inner circle David occupied, further emphasizing Saul's deliberate snub and the strategic nature of his actions to prevent David from gaining a stronger claim to the throne through a marital alliance.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several major themes within 1 Samuel. Foremost is the theme of **Saul's moral and spiritual decline**, marked by his increasing paranoia, jealousy, and deceit. His broken promise to David is a stark demonstration of his loss of integrity and his willingness to manipulate and betray for personal gain, contrasting sharply with his earlier, more righteous character. It highlights the **destructive power of envy** when allowed to fester in the heart, leading to irrational and unjust actions. The narrative also subtly emphasizes **God's sovereign control** over events; despite Saul's malicious schemes, God's ultimate plan for David's kingship remains unthwarted, even as human promises fail. Furthermore, David's quiet and humble response to this injustice, without protest or retaliation, foreshadows his consistent **trust in God's timing and justice**, a recurring motif throughout his early interactions with Saul.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"given"** (Hebrew: נָתַן, _natan'_): This verb, appearing twice in the verse, is crucial. The first instance, "should have been given," refers to a rightful expectation based on Saul's promise. The second, "was given," denotes the actual, deliberate act of bestowal by Saul. The repetition highlights the stark contrast between what was promised and what transpired, emphasizing Saul's intentional breach of covenant. _Natan_ implies a formal, legal transfer or assignment, underscoring the gravity of Saul's decision to reassign Merab's hand.
* **"Meholathite"** (Hebrew: מְחֹלָתִי, _meḥolati'_): This term identifies Adriel as originating from Abel-Meholah, a town likely in the Jordan Valley. The specific geographical designation serves to emphasize that Merab was given to someone outside the immediate sphere of Saul's court or David's burgeoning influence. This choice was not random; it was a calculated move by Saul to prevent David from solidifying his position through a royal marriage, strategically aligning Merab with a family that posed no threat to Saul's dynasty and denying David the prestige and potential political leverage that would come from marrying the king's daughter.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David,"**: This opening clause establishes the unfulfilled expectation. It recalls Saul's public promise after David's victory over Goliath ([1 Samuel 17:25](/1_samuel/17-25 "1 Samuel 17:25 - Saul's Promise Fulfilled?")), highlighting that the moment for the promised marriage had arrived. The phrase "should have been given" clearly indicates a rightful claim and a moral obligation on Saul's part, setting up the subsequent betrayal.
* **"that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife."**: This clause reveals the shocking and deliberate reversal of Saul's promise. Instead of honoring his word to David, Saul formally bestowed Merab upon Adriel, a man from Abel-Meholah. This act was a calculated insult and a strategic maneuver by Saul to deny David the royal connection and prestige that would have come with marrying Merab, further demonstrating Saul's escalating animosity and his willingness to use deceit and manipulation to undermine David.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Saul's initial promise was meant to secure the kingdom by finding a champion, yet his subsequent breach of that promise, driven by fear and jealousy, ultimately undermines his own reign and alienates the very champion God has chosen. There is a clear **Antithesis** or **Contrast** between "should have been given to David" and "was given unto Adriel," starkly highlighting Saul's treachery and the subversion of justice. This act also serves as **Foreshadowing**, signaling Saul's continued descent into paranoia and deceit, predicting his future attempts to harm David and his ultimate rejection by God. The verse also subtly uses **Symbolism**; Merab, as the king's daughter, represents the royal favor and lineage, and her being withheld from David symbolizes Saul's desperate attempts to prevent God's chosen successor from ascending to power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 18:19 serves as a poignant illustration of the destructive nature of unchecked envy and the tragic consequences of a leader who abandons integrity for personal insecurity. Saul's broken promise is not merely a personal slight but a theological statement about his character, demonstrating his increasing disregard for divine principles and his descent into a pattern of deceit and manipulation. This act highlights the contrast between human treachery and divine faithfulness, as God's plan for David's kingship remains steadfast despite Saul's machinations. It underscores the biblical truth that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by human will or malice, even when faced with injustice and betrayal. David's response of quiet endurance, rather than retaliation, further exemplifies a trust in God's sovereignty and justice, providing a model for believers facing similar betrayals.

* [Psalm 37:7](/psalms/37-7 "Psalm 37:7 - Rest in the Lord and wait patiently")
* [Proverbs 27:4](/proverbs/27-4 "Proverbs 27:4 - Envy and Wrath")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is the Lord's")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Merab being given to Adriel, rather than David, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a stark warning against the corrosive power of envy and insecurity, which can lead even those in positions of authority to act dishonorably and contrary to their word. Saul's actions remind us that unchecked negative emotions can corrupt character, break trust, and ultimately lead to self-destruction. In our own lives, when we face broken promises, betrayals, or injustices, David's response—marked by humility and patient endurance rather than immediate retaliation—provides a powerful example. It calls us to trust in God's overarching sovereignty, believing that He is capable of working all things, even human failures and malice, for His ultimate purposes. This verse encourages us to maintain our integrity even when others fail theirs, and to rest in the assurance that God is the ultimate vindicator and fulfiller of His own promises.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Saul's broken promise challenge our understanding of integrity and leadership in the face of personal insecurity?**
* **In what areas of your life might envy or fear be tempting you to act contrary to your principles or commitments?**
* **How can David's response to this injustice inform our own reactions when we experience betrayal or unfulfilled expectations?**
* **What does this event teach us about God's sovereignty in the midst of human treachery and brokenness?**

### FAQ
**Why did Saul break his promise to David regarding Merab?**

Answer: Saul broke his promise primarily due to intense jealousy and fear of David. After David's victory over Goliath, David's popularity among the people surged, even surpassing Saul's ([1 Samuel 18:7-8](/1_samuel/18-7 "1 Samuel 18:7-8 - David's Popularity")). Saul perceived David as a direct threat to his throne and dynasty. By refusing to give David Merab, Saul aimed to deny David the prestige and political leverage that would come from marrying into the royal family, hoping to diminish his standing or even expose him to danger, as seen in his later offer of Michal ([1 Samuel 18:21](/1_samuel/18-21 "1 Samuel 18:21 - Saul's Scheme with Michal")).

**What was the significance of giving Merab to Adriel the Meholathite?**

Answer: Giving Merab to Adriel the Meholathite was a deliberate and calculated insult to David, as well as a strategic move by Saul. It was a public repudiation of his royal word and a clear sign of his animosity. By marrying Merab to someone outside David's immediate sphere, Saul prevented David from gaining a stronger claim to the throne through a marital alliance. This act further highlighted Saul's deceitful character and his willingness to manipulate alliances to undermine David, rather than acknowledging God's hand on David's life.

**How did David react to this broken promise?**

Answer: The text does not record any protest or complaint from David regarding Saul's broken promise concerning Merab. David's silence and humble acceptance are notable. This response is consistent with David's character throughout his early interactions with Saul, where he consistently demonstrates respect for Saul's anointing as king and patiently trusts in God's timing and justice, even in the face of repeated injustice and attempts on his life ([1 Samuel 24](/1_samuel/24 "1 Samuel 24 - David Spares Saul's Life")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The broken promise of King Saul to David in 1 Samuel 18:19, while a testament to human treachery, powerfully foreshadows the steadfast faithfulness of God in His covenant promises, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Saul's failure to honor his word highlights the unreliability of human kings and earthly covenants, which are prone to corruption by sin and self-interest. In stark contrast, Jesus, the true King of Israel, is the embodiment of God's unwavering faithfulness. Unlike Saul, who withheld his daughter due to envy, God the Father, out of boundless love, did not withhold His own Son, but "gave him up for us all" ([Romans 8:32](/romans/8-32 "Romans 8:32 - God Gives His Son")). The marriage covenant, which Saul so readily defiled, finds its ultimate and perfect realization in Christ's relationship with His Church, His beloved bride, whom He purchased with His own blood ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ and the Church")). Where Saul's broken promise led to further conflict and ultimately his downfall, Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial love established a new covenant, securing an eternal inheritance and an unbreakable bond with all who believe in Him ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ, the Mediator of a Better Covenant")). Thus, Saul's treachery serves as a dark backdrop against which the glorious and unfailing fidelity of God in Christ shines ever more brightly, assuring us that God's promises, unlike human ones, will never be broken.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Judges 7:22

And 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 Bethshittah in Zererath, [and] to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.

2 Samuel 21:8

But 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 14:20

But Samson's wife was [given] to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.