The king who sought to destroy Jesus was King?

Answer 1

The king who sought to destroy Jesus was King Herod, but there were 8 [eight] "Herods". They were all as bad as one another, they were all Idumeanians [that is, Edomites: they were not jews], and they all hated the jews and everything they stood for. So specifically:-

• King Herod the Great (37BC --> 4BC) slew children in Bethlehem [Matt 2:16-18]
• Herod Archelaus (4BC --> 6AD) would have killed Jesus if Joseph had returned to Bethlehem as would have been expected [Matt 2:22] since that was where his family and relatives lived. The implication is that Archelaus was waiting for Joseph to return there.
• Herod Antipas (4BC --> 39AD) killed John the Baptist and Jesus was silent before him

After Jesus died they killed and persecuted His followers, but only the heads are mentioned:-

• Herod Agrippa killed James and imprisoned Peter
• Herod Agrippa II Paul was tried before him

It is safe to say that between them all 8 [eight] Herods sought to destroy Jesus Christ and Christianity.