King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 18:19 Mean?

1 Samuel 18:19 in the King James Version says “But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adri...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Samuel 18:19 · King James Version

Context

17

And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him. valiant: Heb. a son of valour

18

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?

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.

20

And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. pleased him: Heb. was right in his eyes

21

And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.

Read 1 Samuel 18 full chapter

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. When has God's apparent denial of expected blessing actually protected you from harm?
  2. How do you respond when those in authority break promises made to you?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַיְהִ֗י1 of 13
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בְּעֵ֥ת2 of 13

“But it came to pass at the time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

נִתְּנָ֛ה3 of 13

“should have been given”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת4 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֵרַ֥ב5 of 13

“when Merab”

H4764

merab, a daughter of saul

בַּת6 of 13

“daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

שָׁא֖וּל7 of 13

“Saul's”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

לְדָוִ֑ד8 of 13

“to David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וְהִ֧יא9 of 13
H1931

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

נִתְּנָ֛ה10 of 13

“should have been given”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְעַדְרִיאֵ֥ל11 of 13

“unto Adriel”

H5741

adriel, an israelite

הַמְּחֹֽלָתִ֖י12 of 13

“the Meholathite”

H4259

a mecholathite or inhabitant of abel-mecholah

לְאִשָּֽׁה׃13 of 13

“to wife”

H802

a woman

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 18:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 18:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 21:8Judges 7:22Judges 14:20

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