Samson continued to judge Israel for twenty years, and so it is obvious that God overlooked his touching dead enemies when necessary. (Judg. 15:20) Jehovah made an exception in the case of the Gibeonites, and he could do so in this case so that Samson could fulfill his assignment as judge and deliverer of Israel. (Joshua chap. 9) The fact that Samson allowed his hair to remain long shows that he respected the requirements of a Nazirite that he could fulfill. (Judg. 16:17) He found God’s favor and is recorded in the Scriptures as an example of faith for Christians.—Heb. 11:32; 12:1.

● Was the girl who danced on Herod’s birthday, and who asked for the head of John the Baptist, named Salome?—J. A., U.S.A.

Yes, it appears so, though the Bible does not give her name. The account in Matthew 14:6-8 reads: “When Herod’s birthday was being celebrated the daughter of Herodias danced at it and pleased Herod [Antipas] so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Then she, under her mother’s coaching, said: ‘Give me here upon a platter the head of John the Baptist.’”

The first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus tells us that Herodias married her uncle Philip (not the district ruler mentioned at Luke 3:1). This marriage resulted in a daughter named Salome. Later Herod Antipas visited his half brother and became infatuated with Herodias. Divorcing his wife, Herod arranged to marry his niece, Herodias.—Antiquities of the Jews, Book XVIII, Chapter V, paragraph 4.

John the Baptist openly denounced this adulterous marriage, and was imprisoned for his boldness. (Matt. 14:3, 4; Luke 3:19, 20) But this was not enough for Herodias, who “was nursing a grudge against [John] and was wanting to kill him.” At Herod’s party she got an opportunity. Her daughter, whom Josephus says was named Salome, danced and then asked for John’s head.—Mark 6:19.

This accomplice-in-murder named Salome should not be confused with the Salome who followed Jesus. (Mark 15:40; 16:1) The Salome named in the Bible was the wife of Zebedee and the mother of the apostles James and John.—Matt 27:56.

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1968 WATCH TOWER PUBLICATIONS INDEX

Now available is the new Watch Tower Publications Index containing both subject and scripture references to all publications of the Watch Tower Society for the year 1968. This valuable study aid will assist you to find those items you may remember reading but cannot locate. It will also help you to find many other related items on the same topic. The 1968 Watch Tower Publications Index is only 10c. Also available are the yearly indexes for 1967 and 1966 (each, 10c); the index for the years 1961-1965 (only 50c); and the index for the years 1930-1960 (only $1). Send today.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

February 23: Appreciating Jehovah. Page 73. Songs to Be Used: 104, 44.

March 2: Appreciating Sacred Things. Page 79. Songs to Be Used: 9, 31.