A King's Terrible Promise

King Herod had heard about Jesus and wondered if this was John the Baptist, raised from the dead — because Herod himself had had John arrested and beheaded. Herod had married Herodias, his brother's wife, and John had spoken out against it, which made Herodias want John dead.

But Herod feared John, knowing he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe in prison, even though he liked to listen to him. On Herod's birthday, his daughter Herodias danced for the guests, pleasing Herod so much that he promised, with an oath, to give her anything she asked, even half his kingdom!

Prompted by her mother, she asked for John the Baptist's head on a platter. Herod was greatly distressed, but because of his oath and his guests, he gave the order anyway. John's disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

It's a sobering, sad story — a king trapped by his own pride and a careless promise, leading to the death of a truly righteous man. Even powerful people can make terrible choices when they fear looking weak more than they fear doing wrong.