The Book of Acts

Herod Agrippa II ... What is his story? *

 

                  It should be common knowledge that families pass on both positive & negative behavior to their children. Agrippa II was the great grandson of Herod the Great, the son of Herod Agrippa I and the great nephew of Herod Antipas. He had two sisters, Bernice, and Drusilla. 

                  Herod Agrippa II was the last heir of the Herod dynasty. He was made ruler/king over parts of Palestine. He continued the success his father had keeping the peace with the Palestinians and also kept up the Herod tradition of building & improving cities. 

The main mistake King Agrippa II made was to hear the gospel message, as told to him by the Apostle Paul and choose to reject it. Life doesn’t guarantee multiple opportunities to hear the gospel and response affirmatively to God, so Agrippa had the truth staring him in the face & choose not to respond. The king’s opportunity came in the form of an intellectual challenge, yet not being convinced of its validity consciously rejected it. His rejection is apparent by his sarcastic remark to Paul (“Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?”).  Apparently living under someone else’s rules/laws, regardless of who it was, didn’t agree with him.

Some folks need to fully process, then mull over what they’ve been told. I was one of those folks. I rarely make snap decisions, so I gave it a couple days to fully process what I had heard.  It was at that time that I responded in the affirmative. That was nearly 44 years ago and I’m still loving Jesus and obeying His directives as best I can with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The other dreadful mistake Agrippa made was to have an incestuous relationship with his sister Bernice, while she was married to her uncle Herod Chalcis. Agrippa no doubt knew by his knowledge of Jewish law, that if he were to say ‘Yes’to God, he would have to end his dalliance with his sister, and it doesn’t seem that he was the least bit interested in doing that.  Immorality is not acceptable in God’s economy. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name and for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible, p. 2459.

* His story is told in Acts 25:13 - 26:32.