Who is princess…
Merab

Meaning: increase

She is the eldest of King Saul’s 2 daughters (1 Samuel 14:49).

She was betrothed to David by Saul as a reward after his victory over Goliath. However, the king was lying, as he meant for the Philistines to kill him before the marriage.

Then Saul said to David,

“Here is my older daughter Merab; I will give her to you as a wife, only be a valiant man for me and fight the Lord’s battles.”

For Saul thought,

“My hand shall not be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” —1 Samuel 18:17 NASB

David was not killed.

“So it came about at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, that she was given to Adriel the Meholathite for a wife.” —1 Samuel 18:19 NASB

Adriel’s town of Abel-meholah was in the Jordan valley, about 10 miles south of Bethshean. The House of Saul maintained alliance with them.

Merab had 5 sons, who were all executed by hanging by the Gibeonites on the hill of Gibeah (2 Samuel 21:8).

Relatives

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Article Version: January 30, 2026