And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes who sat with him, he would not reject her.
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Ambrose of Milan
AD 397
It was shameful in the first place for a kingdom to be promised for a dance. And it was cruel, in the second place, for a prophet to be sacrificed for the sake of an oath. .
A good disposition ought to be open and straightforward, so that one may utter words without deceit, and possess one’s soul with singleness of intent, and not delude another with false words, and not promise anything dishonorable. If he has made such a promise, it is far better for him not to fulfill it, than to fulfill what is shameful. Sometimes people bind themselves by a solemn oath, and, though they come to know that they ought not to have made the promise, fulfill it in consideration of their oath. This is what Herod did. For he made a shameful promise of reward to a dancer—and then cruelly performed it. .
When it is said that “the king was sorry,” that does not indicate genuine repentance on the part of the king, but rather a confession of his guilt. Thus, according to the design of divine governance, those who do evil condemn themselves by their own confession. But what was the motive, in this case: “Because of his oath and his guests”! What could be more vile than a murder done to not displease one’s guests? Concerning Virgins.
The king was sorry, i.e, he pretended to be Song of Solomon , say SS. Hilary and Jerome. For he really wished John to be killed, as Matthew says. Wherefore the Gloss on the fourteenth of S. Matthew says, "Herod"s sorrow was like Pilate"s repentance" And the Interlinear, "The dissembler showed sorrow in his face, but was glad in his heart."
But more simply. S. Chrysostom and Euthymius think that Herod was really sorry is the meaning of SS. Matthew and Mark. For though he wished John to die, yet he was sorry for his cruel and shameful death, that he should have killed so great a prophet for the gratification of a dancing girl.
For his oath"s sake. Herod made a pretext of his oath; for he knew that in such a case, that Isaiah , at such an iniquitous and sacrilegious a request of the girl, it was not binding. However, he thought it a king"s part not to retract it before the nobles, according to the saying, The word of the king is the king. Thus this worldling acted. Whence S. Augustine s...
It is customary, in Scripture, to give the generally prevailing sentiment at the time; thus Joseph is called by the blessed Virgin, the father of Jesus; so now Herod is said to be stricken with sadness, because he appeared to be so to the company at table, though within his own breast, he secretly rejoiced that he had an opportunity of destroying an importuning monitor, with an exterior show of piety and honour. (Ven. Bede)
It is indeed a haven of safety if we do not swear at all. So whatever storms burst upon us we are in no danger of sinking. Whether it be through anger or insult or passion, be what it may, the soul is stayed securely. Even though one might have vented some chance word that ought not to have been spoken, one is not laying oneself absolutely under necessity or law…. For it is indeed a snare of Satan, this swearing. Let us burst these cords. Let us bring ourselves into a condition in which it will be easy not to swear. The Acts of the Apostles, Homily
