MERAB mĭr’ ăb (מֵרַ֔ב, LXX Μεροβ, meaning uncertain; from a chief, is a likely derivation). The record states (1 Sam 14:49) that Saul had two daughters, Merab the first-born and Michal the younger. Merab was promised to David (18:17) but when the time came for David to marry the girl, for some unknown reason she was given to Adriel the Meholathite (v. 19). It seems likely that the reason lay in Saul’s neurotic behavior in all his dealings with his rival David. The RSV is correct in following two Heb. MSS and the VSS (LXX, etc.) in reading Merab (2 Sam 21:8) where the Heb. has Michal. The context also demands the change.