A.T. Robertson Commentary Matthew 14:9

"And the king was grieved; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat at meat with him, he commanded it to be given;" — Matthew 14:9 (ASV)

Grieved (λυπηθεις). Not to hurt, for in verse 5 we read that he wanted (θελων) to put him to death (αποκτεινα). Herod, however, shrank from so dastardly a deed as this public display of brutality and bloodthirstiness. Men who do wrong always have some flimsy excuses for their sins. A man here orders a judicial murder of the most revolting type "for the sake of his oath" (δια τους ορκους). "More like profane swearing than deliberate utterance once for all of a solemn oath" (Bruce). He was probably maudlin with wine and befuddled by the presence of the guests.