The Greater Key of Solomon

SOLOMON, THE "WISE MAN."

“...studying my law is more acceptable than the thousand burnt offerings your son SOLOMON will sacrifice.”

“It was DAVID’s custom to spend every Sabbath studying the Bible and its commandments, and he was so engaged on the Sabbath that was to be his last. Behind the king’s palace there was an orchard; DAVID, hearing a noise there, walked out to find its cause. Upon entering the orchard, he fell to the ground and died.

“The noise in the orchard had been caused by the barking of the king’s dogs, who had not been fed that day. SOLOMON sent a message to the Rabbinical College original: “Rabbinical College”; likely referring to the Sanhedrin or a gathering of sages, saying, ‘My father lies dead in his orchard; is it permissible to move his body on the Sabbath? My father’s dogs are begging for their food; is it proper to cut meat for them today?’ The college returned this answer: ‘Your father’s body should not be moved today, but give meat to the dogs.’ Therefore, SOLOMON said, ‘A living dog fares better than a dead lion,’ justly comparing the son of Jesse to that king of beasts.” See Ecclesiastes 9:4.

SOLOMON was the chosen of the Lord, who named him, through the mouth of Nathan the prophet, Yedidiah (the beloved of God) original: Yedidiah. He was called SOLOMON (meaning "peace") because in his days peace reigned, as it is written, “And Judah and Israel lived in safety.” See 1 Kings 4:25 (cited as 1 Kings 5:5 in the text). He was called Ithiel (meaning "God is with me") original: Ithiel because God was his support.

When SOLOMON sat upon the throne of his father DAVID, all the nations of the earth feared him; all the people of the earth listened anxiously for his words of wisdom.

Afterward, he had a throne made especially for himself by Hiram, the son of a widow of Tyre. It was covered with gold from Ophir and set with all kinds of precious and valuable stones. The seat of the throne was reached by six broad steps. The right side of the first step was guarded by an ox made of pure gold, and the left side by a lion of the same metal. On the right of the second step stood a bear, also of gold, and on the left a lamb—symbolizing enemies living in peace together. On the right of the third step was placed a golden camel, and on the left an eagle. On the right of the fourth step there was also an eagle with outspread wings, and on the left a bird of prey, all made of the same precious metal. On the fifth step to the right, a golden cat was fashioned in a crouching position, and on the left, a chicken. On the right of the sixth step, a hawk was fashioned, and on the left side a pigeon; upon the very top of the step, a pigeon clutched a hawk in her talons. These animals were designed to represent the time when those of opposite natures shall unite in harmony, as it is written in Isaiah (11:6), “And the wolf shall then live with the sheep.”

Over the throne hung a golden chandelier with seven branches. It was ornamented with roses, knobs, bowls, and tongs; on the seven branches, the names of the seven patriarchs—Adam, Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Job—were engraved.

On the second row of the chandelier's branches were engraved—