King Herod shows us the dangerous situation we put ourselves in when we think and act in an intoxicated way. During his birthday he and his guests were pleased by the sensual dance of Salome, daughter of Herodias, who was recently stolen by Herod to be his consort from being Philip’s wife.  Herod asks Salome what she would want him to give her for the entertainment. Upon the advice of her mom, she asks for the head of John the Baptist who was in prison but kept alive by Herod’s fascination at listening to him speak. Herodias was so bothered by John’s repeated judgements about the anomaly of her and Herod’s situation together. She wanted to kill him but couldn’t because of Herod. So now an opportunity presented itself. Herod caved to the request and ordered the execution of the holy man for his head to be served on a platter for Salome, who brought it to her mother Herodias. We should be careful in making decisions of great import when we are under the influence of alcohol.