The answer is: Archelaus

Matthew 2:22 - son of Herod the Great.

When Herod the Great passed away, his kingdom was passed on to his sons, notably Archelaus. It was a bit of a mixed bag for Archelaus, who became ruler of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea. However, his reign was notorious for being marked by cruelty and oppression, which landed him in hot water with the Roman authorities; they later deposed him. Eventually, Judea came under direct Roman rule.

Interestingly, the region went through a series of questionable leadership choices. Archelaus was indeed a tough act to follow. His brothers, Philip and Antipas, governed other parts of their father’s old kingdom, but it's clear that none created a ruler quite like Herod, despite Herod’s scandalous reputation. This reshuffle essentially framed the context for Jesus' early life—setting the stage for some of the playful refractions in the Gospels, such as mentions of rulers like Caesar Augustus later in the same chapter. While Archelaus tried to maintain the old king’s legacy, he ultimately failed, showcasing a perfect example of how power doesn’t guarantee respect.

Fun fact: Joseph fled to Egypt with Mary and Jesus to escape the wrath of Herod, and ironically, some of these events echo Hebrew prophecies where God invites people into wilderness experiences for their ultimate protection and formation. Those echoes of deliverance are peppered throughout the scriptures, adding layers of meaning to an already rich narrative!