Herod the Great was a jealous ruler. According to contemporary sources, he murdered two of his own sons because he thought they were plotting to overthrow him.

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When Herod heard the Wise Men visit Jerusalem asking, "Where is the one who is born King of the Jews," he asked the Wise Men to return and inform him where he could find this child as well (Matthew 2:3-8). Though he claimed an interest in worshipping the child, Jesus, his intent was not so noble. 

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After their visit with the infant Jesus, the Wise Men were advised to avoid returning to Jerusalem and the king (Matthew 2:9-12). When Herod realized the Wise Men were not going to return and confirm where the newborn child was to be found, the king instituted the horrifying measures known as the "massacre of the innocents"--he ordered the deaths of all baby boys two years old and under. In this way he hoped to eliminate the "threat" that this child "born King of the Jews" posed to him (Matthew 2:16-18). Thankfully, God had already warned Joseph to take his family and flee to Egypt to avoid Herod's murderous activities (Matthew 2:13-15).