lucky man. Come, beloved son, and sit on my chair of state. I will listen to thy words of wisdom. May the God of my fathers be with thee in judgment!"
Solomon sat on his father's chair and began to say to the snake: "Tell me, why dost thou do evil to one who has dealt kindly with thee?"
"God has commanded me to do so."
"Where?"
"In his Law."
"Dost thou agree to abide by the teaching of the Law?"
"Of course I do."
"Now at once get off this man and stand on the ground even as he does."
"Why should I?"
"Because the Holy Law demands that those who have a quarrel shall stand before the judge."[1]
"I quite agree to do this. Now wilt thou judge between me and this man." The snake uncoiled its body and placed itself beside the old man. Solomon then turned to the old man and said: "The Holy Law has also a command for thee. It tells thee that thou shalt bruise the serpent's head. Do now according to the word of thy God." The old man no sooner heard Solomon's words than he raised his stick on which he was leaning and smote the snake a deadly blow on its head. The next second it was dead. King David and his courtiers were mightily
- ↑ See Deut. xix. 17.
