King Herod’s Death; Acts 12:19 – 25

Church History: 19After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while. 20He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. Having secured the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king's country for their food supply. 21On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man." 23Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. 24But the word of God continued to increase and spread. 25When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.
Herod stayed in Caesarea until his death, which occurred shortly after. We do not learn that he made any further inquiry after Peter, or that he attempted any further persecutions of the Christians. The guard was undoubtedly put to death; and thus Herod used all his power to create the impression that Peter had escaped by their negligence; and this would undoubtedly be believed by the Jews. He might himself perhaps be convinced, however, that the escape was by miracle, and be afraid to attempt any further persecutions; or the affairs of his government might have called off his attention to other things; and thus, as in the case of the "persecution that arose about Stephen," the political changes and dangers might divert the attention from putting Christians to death.2
An angel had delivered Peter, and here an angel destroys Herod: all that heavenly host fulfill God's will for the deliverance of his church, and the destruction of his enemies. He was eaten by worms; either breeding in his bowels, or in his flesh, after a more unusual manner; as it is recorded of Herod the Great that he was eaten up of lice. No creature so little or contemptible, but it can execute God's judgments on whom he please.