Adriel is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the historical narratives of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. His name, Adriel, means "flock of God" or "my help is God" in Hebrew, reflecting a common practice of the time to embed theological significance within personal names.

Family and Lineage

Adriel is identified as the son of Barzillai the Meholathite. The Meholathites were likely inhabitants of Abel Meholah, a region in the Jordan Valley, which is also associated with the prophet Elisha (1 Kings 19:16). This connection places Adriel within a specific geographical and cultural context in ancient Israel.

Marriage to Merab

Adriel is most notably recognized for his marriage to Merab, the eldest daughter of King Saul. In 1 Samuel 18:19, it is recorded: "So when the time came for Saul to give his daughter Merab in marriage to David, she was given instead to Adriel of Meholah." This marriage was significant as it was initially intended for David, who had gained favor with Saul after defeating Goliath. However, Saul's decision to give Merab to Adriel instead of David reflects the complex and often tumultuous relationship between Saul and David.

Children and Tragic Fate

Adriel and Merab had five sons, whose tragic fate is recounted in 2 Samuel 21:8-9. During a famine in the reign of King David, the Gibeonites sought retribution against the house of Saul for his previous attempts to annihilate them. As part of the atonement, David handed over seven descendants of Saul to the Gibeonites, including the five sons of Adriel and Merab. The text states: "But the king took the two sons of Rizpah daughter of Aiah, whom she had borne to Saul—Armoni and Mephibosheth—and the five sons of Merab daughter of Saul, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite." These sons were executed and exposed on a hill before the LORD, a grim reminder of the consequences of Saul's broken covenant with the Gibeonites.

Theological Implications

Adriel's account, though brief, is interwoven with themes of covenant faithfulness, divine justice, and the complexities of human relationships within the biblical narrative. His marriage to Merab and the subsequent fate of their children highlight the broader narrative of Saul's decline and the divine orchestration of events leading to David's eventual kingship. The account of Adriel and his family serves as a poignant illustration of the ripple effects of sin and the importance of covenantal integrity in the biblical worldview.

References in Scripture

· 1 Samuel 18:19 : "So when the time came for Saul to give his daughter Merab in marriage to David, she was given instead to Adriel of Meholah."
· 2 Samuel 21:8-9 : "But the king took the two sons of Rizpah daughter of Aiah, whom she had borne to Saul—Armoni and Mephibosheth—and the five sons of Merab daughter of Saul, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite."

Adriel's narrative, though limited in detail, contributes to the rich tapestry of Israel's history and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the lineage of David.Adriel

the flock of God

Adriel

(flock of God), son of Barzillai, to whom Saul gave his daughter Merab, although he had previously promised her to David. (1 Samuel 18:19) (B.C. about 1062.) His five sons were amongst the seven descendants of Saul whom David surrendered to the Gibeonites. (2 Samuel 21:8)

Adriel

A son of Barzillai, married Merab, daughter of Saul, who had been promised to David, 1 Samuel 18:19. Adriel had five sons by her, who were delivered up to the Gibeonites, to be put to death before the Lord, to avenge the cruelty of Saul their grandfather against the Gibeonites. In 2 Samuel 21:8, these are said to be the sons of Michal, whom she "brought up" for Adriel; but unless this is a copyist's error, Michal had adopted the children of her sister Merab, who was perhaps dead; or possibly both sisters may have borne the name Michal. Compare under ABIATHAR.

Flock of God, the son of Barzillai, the Meholathite, to whom Saul gave in marriage his daughter Merab (1 Samuel 18:19). The five sons that sprang from this union were put to death by the Gibeonites (2 Samuel 21:8, 9. Here it is said that Michal "brought up" [R.V., "bare"] these five sons, either that she treated them as if she had been their own mother, or that for "Michal" we should read "Merab, " as in 1 Samuel 18:19). ADRIEL

a'-dri-el (`adhri'el, "my help is God"): The son of Barzillai the Meholathite, to whom Merab the daughter of King Saul was married when she should have been given to David (1 Samuel 18:19 2 Samuel 21:8). "Michal" in 2 Samuel 21:8 is a textual error easily accounted for Adriel and Merab had five sons, whom David handed over to the blood vengeance of the men of Gibeon. The name Adriel seems to be Aramaic, the equivalent of the Hebrew name Azriel.

5741. Adriel -- "my help is God," son-in-law of Saul
... 5740b, 5741. Adriel. 5742 . "my help is God," son-in-law of Saul. Transliteration:
Adriel Phonetic Spelling: (ad-ree-ale') Short Definition: Adriel. ...
/hebrew/5741.htm - 6k

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Adriel (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ADRIEL. ... The name Adriel seems to be Aramaic, the
equivalent of the Hebrew name Azriel. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/a/adriel.htm - 8k

Merab (4 Occurrences)
... She was at length, however, married to Adriel of Abel-Meholah, a town in the Jordan
valley, about 10 miles south of Bethshean, with whom the house of Saul ...
/m/merab.htm - 11k

Meholathite (2 Occurrences)
... me-ho'-la-thit (mecholathi): The Gentiledesignation of Adriel, the son of Barzillai,
who married Merab, the daughter of King Saul (1 Samuel 18:19 2 Samuel 21:8 ...
/m/meholathite.htm - 7k

Barzillai (10 Occurrences)
... Of iron. (1.) A Meholathite, the father of Adriel (2 Samuel 21:8). (2.) A Gileadite
of Rogelim who was distinguished for his loyalty to David. ...
/b/barzillai.htm - 12k

Rizpah (4 Occurrences)
... David accordingly delivered up to them the two sons of Rizpah and five of the sons
of Merab (qv), Saul's eldest daughter, whom she bore to Adriel. ...
/r/rizpah.htm - 10k

Meho'lathite (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 18:19 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 ...
/m/meho'lathite.htm - 7k

A'driel (1 Occurrence)
A'driel. Adriel, A'driel. A'dri-el . Multi-Version Concordance A'driel (1
Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Adriel, A'driel. A'dri-el . Reference Bible.
/a/a'driel.htm - 6k

Saul's (79 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 18:19 But it happened at the time when Merab, Saul's daughter, should have
been given to David, that she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as wife. ...
/s/saul's.htm - 31k

Mephib'osheth (13 Occurrences)
... the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the
five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel the son of ...
/m/mephib'osheth.htm - 10k

Meholah (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 18:19 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 ...
/m/meholah.htm - 7k

What is the story of David and Michal? | GotQuestions.org

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