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ashamed to call upon an apparently ignorant man but nonethe less did so. The merchant first believed that he wasmocking at him but seeing he was in earnest brought outa pair of scales and said," These scales are symbolical ofthe Divine Ineffable Name. If ever I have acted dishonestlyand not kept the scales even let fire consume me. But if Ihave acted honestly, let rain fall." Rain fell in torrents.

426. King Solomon was an excellent chess player. Heplayed with Benaya his general and always won. Once anoise in the street drew Solomon to the window. Benayatook a piece from the board and won the game. Solomonsurprised, reconstructed the game afterwards and found outwhat Benaya had done. Determined to make him confesspublicly, he disguised himself and drew some thieves intothe treasuries of the king and locked them in the innermostchamber. In the morning he called the Sanhedrin together,Benaya being one of the members. He asked what punish-ment a man deserved for stealing some of the king's property.Benaya believing that he was meant confessed his guiltpublicly. King Solomon smiled and said," I am referring tosome thieves in the treasury," and was satisfied that he hadmade him confess by this clever ruse.

427. King Solomon was asked what was the meaning ofhis saying," Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, thana stalled ox and hatred therewith."( Prov. 15, 17.) He saidwhen he was driven from his throne he was wanderingabout from house to house. One man recognised him, tookhim in and fed him with dainty food, but at every mealand on every occasion he used to say," What a pity andwhat a sorrow," and so he reminded him of his formergreatness and present state of poverty and misery. There-fore he used to go away broken- hearted. Another man,very poor, also took him in, excused his meagre fare andcomforted him and thus he felt happy with the dinner ofherbs for love was there.

428. A king once entered a school where the master wassitting at the desk with a rod in his hand. The children