Salome’ s dance

king Herod ’s wife , herodias , hated john the baptist . the desert -dwelling prophet had dared to call her an adulteress for leaving her husband Philip to marry  his evil but wealthier brother . now the wicked queen determined to us her influence over Herod to get even with john . first ,she persuaded him to have john imprisoned .then she asked to have john executed ,but Herod refused . he knew that john was a true prophet and feared political backlash the people .
finally , herodias developed a fool-proof scheme . she threw a party for herods birthday and invitef all hos friends and the nobles from his realm , then she arranged for her beautiful daughter salome  to dance in a seductive ,captivating style . Herod had a few glasses of wine  ,he would ask salome what reward she wanted for her enchanting dance .
her sinister plan worked . after Salome dance , Herod made a pompous oath :"whatsoever thou shalt ask of me , I will give it thee  , unto the half of my kingdom ." mark 6:23 . as the inebriated guests were applauding  the king’s generosity , the girl stood ready  with her reply . then she shocked everyone by asking for the head of john the baptist on a platter ! Herod was stunned by the gruesome request , but all of his shocked friends were watching for his respons . Afraid that  he would appear waek if he refused , the proud king reluctantly gave the order .that very day the mighty prophet john was beheaded alone in prison .this was not the first time that a mother  and daughter team used the government to persecute God ’s people .