King Herod’s wife, Herodias, hated John the Baptist because he had condemned her for marrying her husband’s brother, Herod. She convinced Herod to imprison John and later demanded his execution. Herod, though, hesitated because he feared public backlash and believed John was a true prophet. Herodias then devised a plan to use her daughter, Salome, to manipulate Herod. At Herod’s birthday party, Salome danced provocatively, and after Herod offered to grant her any wish, she asked for John’s head on a platter. Reluctantly, fearing the judgment of his guests, Herod complied, and John was beheaded. This event highlighted the use of power for evil purposes by a mother and daughter against God’s people.
