The Greater Key of Solomon

SOLOMON, THE "WISE MAN."

...the names of the seven pious ones of the world: Levi, Kehath, Amram, Moses, Aaron, Eldad, and Madad. Above all this hung a golden urn original: "churn"; likely a transcription error for "urn" or a reference to a vessel for the anointing oil filled with pure olive oil, and on this were engraved the names of Eli, the High Priest, and his two sons, Hophni and Phineas; and on the other side, the names of the two sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu.

On the right hand of the throne two chairs were placed, one for the High Priest and the other for the Vice-High Priest the Sagan, or deputy High Priest, and upon the left side, from the top to the ground, seventy-one chairs were stationed as seats for the members of the Sanhedrin original: "Sanhedrim"; the supreme judicial council of ancient Israel.

The throne was made upon wheels, so that it could be moved easily wherever the king might desire it to be.

The Lord gave SOLOMON the power of understanding the nature and properties of the plants original: "herbs" of the field and the trees of the forest, as it is written: “And he spoke concerning the trees, from the cedar tree that is upon Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springs out of the wall. He spoke also concerning the beasts, and concerning the birds, and concerning the creeping things, and concerning the fishes.” See 1 Kings 4:33; cited as 1 Kings 5:13 in the text.

It is said that SOLOMON ruled the whole world, and this verse is quoted as proof of the claim: “And SOLOMON was ruling over all the kingdoms, which brought presents, and served SOLOMON all the days of his life.” See 1 Kings 4:21; cited as 1 Kings 5:1 in the text.

All the kingdoms congratulated SOLOMON as the worthy successor of his father, DAVID, whose fame was great among the nations—all except one: the kingdom of Sheba, the capital of which was called Kitore original: "Kitore"; likely referring to Kitor, a legendary city mentioned in Rabbinic accounts of Sheba.

To this kingdom SOLOMON sent a letter:

“From me, King SOLOMON, peace to you and to your government. Let it be known to you that the Almighty God has made me to reign over the whole world: the kingdoms of the North, the South, the East, and the West. Look, they have come to me with their congratulations, all except you alone.

“Come also, I pray you, and submit to my authority, and much honor shall be done for you; but if you refuse, behold, I shall by force compel your acknowledgment.

“To you, Queen Sheba, is addressed this letter in peace from me, King SOLOMON, the son of DAVID.”

Now when Queen Sheba received this letter, she sent in haste for her elders and counselors to ask their advice as to the nature of her reply.

They spoke only lightly of the message and the one who sent it, but the queen did not regard their words. She sent a vessel carrying many presents of different metals, minerals, and precious stones to SOLOMON. It was after a voyage of two years’ time that these presents arrived at Jerusalem, and in a letter entrusted to the captain, the queen said, “After...