Herodias was married to her uncle Herod Philip I and then married Heod Antipas, his brother. She had a daughter from her marriage to Herod Philip I who was called Salome. Herodias was not a nice character and she nursed a grudge against John the Baptist, who had said 'It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.' to Herod Antipas (v18). She was so bitter about this, we are told that she wanted to kill him (v 19). This was a serious grudge that she had.
Herodias waited for the opportune moment and then pounces. This moment means that her bitterness spreads and affects Herod Antipas and her daughter Salome. Herod Antipas is so pleased with Salome's dancing at a banquet that he says she can have anything she wants! Herodias tells her daughter to ask for John the Baptist's head on a platter (v25).
Obviously Herodias is not a woman we should look up to and emulate, but we can learn a lot from her. Bitterness can rob people of joy and enjoyment of life. Do you think Herodias suddenly felt better when she received John the Baptist's head on a platter? Did all her resentment dissolve or was she still an angry, bitter woman?
Joanna Weaver, in her book Having a Mary Spirit, says "Bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die." This is so true; bitterness doesn't acheive anything except twisting ourselves up inside.
According to a recent Newsweek article, scientists are finding that unforgiveness is linked to all kinds of physical problems ranging from increased blood pressure and cardiovascular disease to hormonal changes, immune suppression, and possibly impaired neurological function and memory.(Jordanna Lewis and Jerry Adler, "Forgive and Let Live," Newsweek, 27 September 2004. Quoted in Having a Mary Spirit, Joanna Weaver)
We should make sure that bitterness doesn't reside in our souls. Give the grudge to God and let him deal with it.
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