Meholah, Meholathite

A place name used to describe Adriel, the son of Barzillai. Adriel was the husband of Merab, who was King Saul's oldest daughter (1 Samuel 18:19; 2 Samuel 21:8). He probably came from Abel-meholah, an important city in the region of Gilead. The marriage between Adriel and Merab was likely a political arrangement made by Saul and accepted by David. This arrangement happened even though David was originally supposed to marry Merab himself (1 Samuel 18:17–19).