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 for Merab, Saul's daughter, to be given in marriage to David, she was instead given as a wife to Adriel from Meholah.
This verse shows how King Saul broke his promise to give his daughter Merab to David as a wife, giving her to someone else instead.
📚 Historical Context
King Saul had previously promised his daughter in marriage to whoever could defeat Goliath, which David did. However, Saul was becoming increasingly jealous of David's popularity and success, and began looking for ways to break his promises and distance himself from David. Arranged marriages were common political tools in ancient times, used to form alliances between families and tribes.
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