An angel had delivered Peter, and here an angel destroys Herod: all that heavenly host fullfil God's will for the deliverance of his church, and the destruction of his enemies. He gave not God the glory; priding himself in the acclamation the people had made, and not attributing his eloquence and glory to God, as the giver of them; or rather, not repressing or punishing their blasphemy; whereas Peter durst not accept of undue honour from Cornelius, Acts 10:26, nor the angel from St. John, Revelation 19:10, Revelation 22:9. He was eaten of worms; either breeding in his bowels, or in his flesh, after a more unusual manner; as it is recorded of Herod the Great, that he was eaten up of lice. No creature so little or contemptible, but it can execute God's judgments on whom he please.
Related Commentaries of Acts 12:23
Acts 12:23
23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.