Merab
“Increase”
☩Promised to David
After David killed Goliath, Saul promised his daughter: 'Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD's battles' (1 Samuel 18:17). Saul's motive was treacherous—he hoped the Philistines would kill David in battle. David modestly replied that he was unworthy to become the king's son-in-law.
☩Given to Adriel
Despite his promise, 'when the time came that Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife' (1 Samuel 18:19). This breach of promise was another of Saul's affronts to David, though David showed no recorded resentment.
☩Her Sons
Merab bore five sons to Adriel. These grandsons of Saul were later delivered to the Gibeonites to be executed in atonement for Saul's breaking Israel's ancient oath to spare them (2 Samuel 21:8-9). Some manuscripts read 'Michal' in 2 Samuel 21:8, but since Michal was childless (2 Samuel 6:23), 'Merab' is likely correct.