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one went to buy food. He, however, said he was too poor.They replied," Your God is with you everywhere and youcannot be poor." He said," Your god hangs on your neckand is distant, and my God, though distant is near." Andthey all prayed to God.
H. PARABLES OF SOLOMON.( See P. 9§ 23.)
I. Solomon and the test of the dead man's bone and theson's blood. See No. 391.
401. II. A young man travelling from Tiberias to Betarsaw a young woman who fell in love with him and marriedhim. After a year she asked him to return home on a visit.On the way they were met by a robber and she fell in lovewith him. He tied the husband to a tree and they enjoyedthemselves together. When the robber had fallen asleep asnake drank from his jug of wine and poisoned it. Therobber when he woke drank of it and died. On his promisingnot to kill her, the woman loosened her husband's bondsand they arrived at her parents' house. The man then toldwhat had happened and the father killed the daughter.Therefore Solomon said," Among a thousand women I havenot found a faithful one."( Eccles. VII. 28.)
III. Story of the man who refused to kill his wife, and ofthe woman's being willing to kill her husband when asked byKing Solomon. See No. 328.
402. IV. Three young men served King Solomon. Afterthree years' apprenticeship, believing they had learnednothing, they asked leave of departure from Solomon.He offered them each 100 gold pieces or three wise maxims.They took the 300 gold pieces, but the youngest returnedand Solomon taught him," I) Start early on your journeywith the dawn and stop at nightfall. 2) Do not attemptto cross a swollen river but wait until it subsides; and 3) Donot reveal thy secrets to any woman, not even thy wife."He then caught up his brothers but declined to tell themwhat he had been taught. Towards evening, he stopped torest while they travelled on in the dark. He lit a fire and