The answer is: Herod the Great

Matthew 2:1 - reigning from 37 - 4 BC. We know from history records he was also known as Herod the Great.

Herod the Great sure knows how to keep guests on their toes—especially after learning that the “greatest” news of all time was about to happen right in his backyard: the birth of Jesus! Reigning from 37 to 4 BC, we remember him as a puppet king propped up by Rome. Despite his monumental building projects, including the expansion of the Second Temple, his calls for loyalty often stretched to paranoia; hence the infamous story of the Massacre of the Innocents recorded in Matthew.

But the plot doesn’t stop there! This notorious king had quite the interesting family drama! Herod married ten women and fathered many children, several of whom were involved in deadly rivalries. For instance, his favorite wife, Mariamne, met a tragic end wrapped in his treachery, showing us how power can rot the heart.

Let's not overlook another trivia nugget about Herod: he was a master builder. Archaeologists today marvel at his constructions, like the fortress of Masada and the city of Caesarea Maritima which showcased stunning harbors, a feat of engineering for that time! This aspect of his reign highlights an intriguing contrast between his ambition building physical structures and the humble beginnings of Jesus, whose legacy would outshine the opulent endeavors of Herod.

So, the next time you think of kings and power, it's essential to remember the biblical comparison between earthly rulers like Herod and the true King embodied in Jesus, whose kingdom knows no end.