Horod's Way of Saving Face?

There was a woman in the Bible who did some terrible things. Herodias married her brother-in-law king Herod, taught her daughter to dance in front of men (which was not proper in those days), and grabbed the opportunity to kill an enemy (John the Baptist who told the truth that it was not right for Herod to marry his brother's wife). Here is what the Bible told us:

Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests ...

The king said to the girl, "Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you." And he promised her with an oath, "Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom." The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. (Mark 6:21-26)

King Herod did not intend to kill John after placing him in prison to please Herodias (his sister-in-law turned wife). But he had John's head cut off just to save his face!

You may read the whole story from Mark 6:14-29.

Copyright © 2005-2007 Winnis Chiang, Parenting ABC