Herodias and her daughter: Head on a platter

Family feud can be costly and resolving conflicts might become more challenging leading to bitterness and anger. However, if a brother decides to marry the wife of his other brother while the other brother is alive, it gives reasons for contention. Not only does God disapprove such relationships, even society will not accept such unions. However, if the powerful people in the society are spearheading such unions, the masses can only complain but their words would not be enough to change the hearts of the people involved in such unions. Imagine if a popular preacher with a huge following began to criticize such practices on their platform, their voices might not change the situation but they are more likely to be a force that can cause the people involved to be aware of the displeasure they have caused. Remember, preaching of the truth can lead to repentance (Acts 2:37) or displeasure (Acts 7:54, 57). In this post, we shall consider two women, Herodias and her daughter and how their displeasure of the truth caused the death of God’s servant. 

Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife (Matthew 14:3)

Herodias was the wife of Philip (possibly Philip the tetrach mentioned in the New Testament). Biblical history (written materials other than Bible) seem to indicate that Herodias divorced her husband Philip and Herod divorced his wife (Phaesalis) and the two divorcees married each other. This might be silly but it really happened. The society was displeased but no one had the courage to confront Herod and Herodias. Moving in with Herod,  Herodias came with her daughter (who history attests to be called Salome). In the Palace of Herod was his new wife and his stepdaughter. John, the prophetic son of Elizabeth at this time was operating as “the voice of one calling in the wilderness” (John 1:23). John wasn’t pleased with Herod and his new wife and confronted Herod about it. This confrontation displeased Herodias and ultimately led to the arrest of John. Mark’s account present it as this: 

“For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.” (Mark 6:17‭-‬20).

John pointed to Herod his sin, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias nursed a grudge against John for telling the truth and ultimately influenced Herod to arrest John. Herodias wasn’t repentant of her actions and she ultimately involved her daughter in this game of bitterness. Then one day, Herodias and her daughter did the impossible. Mark 6:21 states that, “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.” Herod, like many of the kings in the Bible, decided to show off at this banquet but the star of the day was the daughter of Herodias. 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.” (Mark 6:22‭-‬23). Herod was willing to part with half of his kingdom for a dance. The excited young woman went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” and Herodias replied, “The head of John the Baptist” (Mark 6:24). 

What! You have been offered up to half of a kingdom and you request for the head of one man? What was Herodias and the daughter going to do with John’s head? Immediately the girl hurried and told Herod, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” (Mark 6:25). Herod was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother (Mark 6:26‭-‬28). Herodias and her daughter would have gotten rid of John’s head as soon as possible but would have celebrated the death of John. Herodias was bent on evil and she pulled her daughter along with her to fulfill her schemes. The death of John did not right the wrongs of Herod and Herodias. 

Shutting the voice of truth does not make evil good. God is a God of vengeance and all evil done against Him and His people will be judged. Furthermore, we should also know that there are people who delight in evil no matter what. They are always looking for an opportune time to hurt the righteous. I pray that our steps will be ordered by God so we don’t fall into the trap of evildoers. May God help us!

Tamar: Revenge and family feud

Our study on Tamar, David’s daughter, is not over. Amnon’s amorous desire and subsequent rape of Tamar didn’t go down well with his father David and his brother Absalom. According to 2 Samuel 13: 21-22, “when King David heard all this, he was furious. And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad; he hated Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar.” Scripture does not mention the disciplinary measure David took to mitigate the harm done to Tamar. He was just furious but Amnon went free. On the other hand, Absalom, the brother of Tamar, didn’t even say a single word about the incident to Amnon. In his silence, Absalom nurtured hatred for his brother Amnon. Is there something David could have done to alleviate the hurt in this incident? Maybe, he could have had an open discussion with the affected parties to ensure that no one is bitter. Further, Amnon should have been disciplined for his uncouth behavior. David himself was recovering from his own amorous relationship and the consequences of his sins. He might have taken this incident lightly and his lack of proactive measures caused more harm than good. 

Her brother Absalom said to her, “Has that Amnon, your brother, been with you? Be quiet for now, my sister; he is your brother. Don’t take this thing to heart.” And Tamar lived in her brother Absalom’s house, a desolate woman. (2 Samuel 13:20)

Tamar was bruised emotionally and physically. She was dishonoured by someone she trusted. In her act of service to her own brother, her innocence was taken away. She was hurt, broken and driven away like an ordinary servant. Until you experience pain and rejection from the people you love, you might not fully understand the pain Tamar had to go through. Absalom said to her, “Has that Amnon, your brother, been with you? Be quiet for now, my sister; he is your brother. Don’t take this thing to heart.” And Tamar lived in her brother Absalom’s house, a desolate woman.” (2 Samuel 13:20). Tamar was left broken and wounded, she became desolate in her own father’s house. Amnon’s wickedness didn’t go unnoticed. For two years, Absalom nursed a grudge with his brother and looked for the perfect opportunity to strike. Absalom had every right to be angry but to seek vengeance, was something he was not supposed to do no matter the pain. David might have left a loophole for further confrontation but Absalom should have sought a better redress other than a decision to kill. 

Amnon’s predicament came two years after he had raped his sister. I am sure Amnon would have thought that Absalom had forgotten about the incident. But, Absalom had an evil plan. He invited all his brothers to his sheep-shearing and he ordered his men, “Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave.” So Absalom’s men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king’s sons got up, mounted their mules and fled.”(2 Samuel 13:28‭-‬29). Absalom killed Amnon for raping his sister Tamar. Absalom had a feud with Amnon because of what he did to Tamar and he sought revenge the wrong way. While David mourned the possibility of the death of his sons, Amnon’s advisor, Jonadab, the same person who proposed the best way to get Tamar came to speak with David. He said, “My Lord should not think that they killed all the princes; only Amnon is dead. This has been Absalom’s express intention ever since the day Amnon raped his sister Tamar.” (2 Samuel 13:32). Jonadab knew all this while that Absalom had such intentions and waited for the harm to be done. Friends like Jonadab should be avoided. They will lead you to evil and leave you in it while they escape from the consequences of their evil plans. 

The feud in king David’s palace was made worse. First, David’s own adultery and murder of Uriah;them Amnon raped Tamar and Absalom killed Amnon. In the midst of all these brouhaha, were women who were hurt, wounded and treated as second class to the men. Absalom fled for his life leaving his desolate sister behind. Indeed Absalom really loved his sister Tamar and even named his own daughter Tamar “and she became a beautiful woman” (2 Samuel 14:27). The story is far from over. The fire in David’s palace is yet to be quenched. 

One big lesson from this story is from Deuteronomy 32:35: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.” Sometimes, seeking revenge escalates the situation out of proportion.