Acts 12:20

Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king ' s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king ' s country.

1. Herod was angry - highly displeased. The Greek word means "to bear a hostile mind." Herod was on the verge of war against some territory to the northern edge of Palestine.

2. This fear of war led this area to send ambassadors trying to make peace and avoid the bloodshed of war.

3. Blastus the chamberlain - A chamberlain is the officer in charge of the bed, bedroom, dressing area, of the king.

4. Why would they approach a servant who washes the sheets and makes the bed? John Gill explains - "for these officers had access when others could not, the king's bedchamber next to sacred; and therefore the Tyrians and Sidonians privately applied to him first."

5. This area was isolated and totally dependent on the area of Judea for food and supplies.