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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
she prepared everything to flatter his pride and vanity, and indulge
his passions. She made the most costly preparations for feasting, and
voluptuous dissipation.
When the great day arrived, and the king with his lords was feast-
ing and drinking in the banqueting hall, Herodias sent her daughter,
dressed in a most enchanting manner, into the royal presence. Salome
was decorated with costly garlands and flowers, sparkling jewels and
flashing bracelets. With little covering, and less modesty, she danced
for the amusement of the royal guests. To their perverted senses, she
seemed a vision of beauty and loveliness, and charmed away the last
remnants of self-respect and propriety. Instead of being governed by
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enlightened reason, refined taste, and sensitive conscience, the baser
qualities of the mind held the guiding reins. Virtue and principle had
no controlling power.
The mind of Herod was in a whirl. His faculties were confused,
judgment and reverence were dethroned. He saw only the hall of
pleasure, with his reveling guests, the banquet table, sparkling wine
and flashing lights, and the young girl in her voluptuous beauty dancing
before him. In the recklessness of the moment he was desirous to make
some display which would exalt him still higher before the great men
of his kingdom; and he rashly promised, and confirmed his promise
with an oath, to give the daughter of Herodias whatever she might ask.
The object for which she had been sent into the royal presence was
now gained. Having obtained so wonderful a promise, she ran to her
mother, desiring to know what she should ask. The mother’s answer
was ready—the head of John the Baptist in a charger. Salome was
shocked. She did not understand the hidden revenge in her mother’s
heart, and at first refused to present such an inhuman request; but the
determination of the wicked mother prevailed. Moreover, she bade
her daughter make no delay, but hasten to prefer her request before
Herod would have time for reflection. Accordingly Salome returned to
Herod with her terrible petition: “I will that thou give me, by and by,
in a charger, the head of John the Baptist. And the king was exceeding
sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes which sat with him,
he would not reject her.”
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Herod was astonished and confounded. The riotous mirth ceased,
for his guests were thrilled with horror at this inhuman request. An
ominous silence settled down upon the scene of revelry. The king,