Merab (fl. 1000 BCE)

views updated

Merab (fl. 1000 bce)

Biblical woman. Eldest of the two daughters of King Saul andAhinoam : sister of Michal (fl. 1000 bce); married Adriel of Abel-Meholab; children: five sons.

In an arrangement brokered by her father King Saul, Merab was betrothed to David following his victory over the giant Goliath. She apparently took issue with the agreement, however, so David was given the hand of her younger sister Michal instead. Merab later married Adriel of Abel-Meholab and gave birth to five sons, all of whom were put to death by the Gibeonites.

More From encyclopedia.com