MEHOLAH, MEHOLATHITE*

Location used to describe Adriel the son of Barzillai, who was the husband of Merab, Saul’s eldest daughter (1 Sm 18:19; 2 Sm 21:8). He was probably from Abel-meholah, an important city of Gilead. The marriage of Adriel and Merab was probably a political move by Saul, agreed to by David, who was to have married Merab himself (1 Sm 18:17-19).