Adriel
“Flock of God”
Summary
Son of Barzillai the Meholathite who married Saul's daughter Merab, originally promised to David; his five sons were later executed to avenge the Gibeonites.
☩Marriage to Merab
Adriel was a son of Barzillai from Abel-meholah. He married Merab, Saul's eldest daughter, who had originally been promised to David as a reward for slaying Goliath. Saul broke his promise to David and gave Merab to Adriel instead, a decision that reflected his growing hostility toward David.
☩The Execution of His Sons
During David's reign, a famine prompted inquiry before the Lord, which revealed Saul's guilt in violating the covenant with the Gibeonites by attempting to destroy them. The Gibeonites demanded blood satisfaction, and David handed over seven of Saul's descendants, including the five sons of Adriel and Merab. These were executed by the Gibeonites at Gibeah. A textual note in 2 Samuel 21:8 mentions Michal instead of Merab, likely a copyist's error since Michal had no children.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Adriel," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Adriel," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).