Women of the Bible No. 12 Salome

"And when Salome, the daughter of Herodias, came in and danced, she pleased Herod and them that sat at eat with him; and the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatever thou wilt, and I will give it thee."

St. Mark ch. 6 v. 22

Herodius was Herod's niece, and his brother Philip's wife. Herod seduced Herodius and married her after his own divorce. John the Baptist did not approve and told Herod it was not lawful to marry his brother's wife. Herodius therefore bore a grudge against John, and would have killed him, except that Herod respected John and protected him.

Therefore when Herod promised to Salome whatever she wanted, and Salome went to her mother for advice, Herodius saw her opportunity for revenge on John. Ask, she told Salome, for John the Baptist's head on a platter. This Salome did, and as Herod had made a promise, he could not refuse the request, although it is said that he was "exceedingly sorry." He ordered the execution of John the Baptist and Salome was granted her wish.

When the disciples of Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist they came and took the body and laid it in a tomb.