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KING of TROUBLE

Matthew 2:3 & 4
"3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born."

When Herod is "troubled;" everyone is TROUBLED. 
The arrival of "wise men" from the Persian Empire looking for "He that is born King of the Jews?" is VERY upsetting to Herod. The wise men had studied the prophetic writings of Daniel about the coming Messiah. They "have seen His star in the east, and are come to WORSHIP HIM." These words would have STUNG Herod's pride. Herod was the King of the Jews! Who could these wise men be looking for? The gifts they bring should be for Herod! Herod is jealous!! Herod is angry!!! It is VERY dangerous to be around Herod in this situation. 

Herod is the family name of the ruling dynasty in Israel at this time. This particular Herod is Herod Antipas. He was a son of Herod the Great who ruled Judea for the Roman occupation. When Herod the Great passed away the Judea territory was divided into four and each quarter was assigned to one of Herod the Great's son. Treachery, betrayal and brutality is stock and trade of the Herod family. 

Contemporary and friend of Herod Antipas, Caesar Agustus, said; “I’d rather be Herod’s pig than his son.” In his family Herod killed his favorite wife, his uncle, his mother-in-law, and three of his sons. How many servants, citizens and others did he kill? We do not know. We can imagine the fear and desperation of all around him as the stress intensified... "And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he DEMANDED of them WHERE Christ should be born."

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