Beheading as a method of killing is nothing new;
it has been known in practically every nation that has ever existed (the famous
French guillotine was invented to be a supposedly more humane method of execution).
There are a number of beheadings recorded in Bible History, the two best-known being David's beheading of the giant Goliath, and the beheading of John the Baptist by Herod Antipas (see The Herods).
David's beheading of Goliath took place on the field of battle, after Goliath was already dead.
"And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David."
"Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled." (1 Samuel 17:48-51 KJV)
"And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem" (1 Samuel 17:54 KJV)
The beheading of John the Baptist (see also John's Last Days) was an act of murder committed by a tyrant and his spiteful, incestuous wife (see Herodias). The Bible account isn't clear, however it appears that John's head may not have been buried along with his body - John's disciples were given the body, Herodias and her daughter were given the "head on a platter":
"For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her."
"And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother."
"And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus." (Matthew 14:3-12 KJV)
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